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Anorak News | Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit In Fading Health, Says Hamas

Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit In Fading Health, Says Hamas

by | 25th, June 2007

A LOOK at how Hamas operates:

Hamas on Monday released a recorded message from captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, the first sign of life from the young serviceman since he was abducted exactly one year ago.

In the message, posted on a Hamas website, Shalit sent greetings to his family and said his health was deteriorating. He also expressed disappointment in the “lack of interest” of the Israeli government in his fate.

“Mother and father, my sister and brother, my friends in the Israel Defense Forces. I greet you from prison and miss you all,” he said.

“I have spent a full year in prison, and my health is still deteriorating, and I need a prolonged hospitalization. I regret the lack of interest on the part of the Israeli government and the Israel Defense Forces in my case and their refusal to meet the demands of the al-Qassam brigades,” he added.

Shalit was captured on June 25, 2006, by gunmen from Hamas and two allied groups who tunneled into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Negotiations for his release, mediated by Egypt, have repeatedly broken down and been complicated since Hamas took control of Gaza two weeks ago…

In the tape, Shalit called on the Israeli government to meet Palestinian demands for a large-scale prisoner swap. “Just as I have parents, a mother and father, the thousands of Palestinian prisoners have mothers and fathers to whom their sons must be returned,” he said.

“I have a great hope from my government that it show more interest in me and meet the demands of the mujahideen (captors).”

Think he’s speaking freely or being coerced?



Posted: 25th, June 2007 | In: Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink