Jerusalem
02 October 2009
Image taken from video released by Hamas, 02 Oct 2009, shows Israeli soldier Sgt. Gilad Schalit held captive for more than three years in Gaza Strip |
It was the first glimpse of the
young soldier that Israelis have seen since June 2006 when Palestinian
militants abducted him while he was patrolling along the Gaza border.
A
portion of the video aired on Israeli television Friday, showing the
soldier dressed in dark civilian clothing, reading a statement that
included his Israeli identification card number and gave other
information to prove his identity. He also held a newspaper dated
September 14th, 2009.
Reading the statement, he said he has
been waiting long for his release and hopes the government of Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not waste the opportunity to conclude
a deal to free him.
The soldier said he was in good health,
and at one point stood up to bring the newspaper he was holding in his
hands closer to the camera.
The tape aired repeatedly on
television Friday afternoon. It was the proof that Israelis have long
been awaiting to know that the soldier is alive.
A Palestinian woman just released from prison waves while being transported in an International Red Cross van from Israel's Ofer jail to the Beitunia crossing in the West Bank, 2 Oct 2009 |
The deal announced Wednesday was brokered by Egyptian and German mediators. It was welcomed by both Palestinians and Israelis as a small first step to what may be further negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules the Gaza Strip and whose stated aim is the destruction of the Jewish State.
The women released Friday were considered low-level prisoners, some of them held for attempted murder, but none for actually killing Israelis. Some were nearing the end of their sentences.
Hamas wants Israel to release hundreds of other Palestinians - including some high-profile prisoners convicted of direct involvement in multiple killings.
Now that Israelis have proof that their soldier is alive, the possibility of further negotiations opens up - and so does the question of how much Israel is willing to give up to bring Gilad Shalit home.