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Israel to swap prisoners for tape Israel begins Shalit tape swap
(about 4 hours later)
Israel is due to release a group of female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel has begun the release of a group of 19 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
The video has not been made public but Israeli media say the recording was made recently and shows Mr Shalit in civilian clothes, apparently unharmed. The prisoners have left the jail but reports say they will not be freed until officials have seen the video and confirm it proves the soldier is alive.
The 23-year-old was captured by Hamas militants in a raid three years ago. A German mediator is due to deliver what Hamas says is a minute-long film.
Analysts say the exchange is a major breakthrough in nearly three years of Egyptian-brokered talks. It would be the first images seen of the 23-year-old since he was captured by Hamas militants three years ago.
The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted a Hamas source as saying the video shows Sgt Shalit wearing civilian clothes and apparently in good health.
An audiotape and three letters have been released since his capture in 2006, the most recent dated in 2008.
Nearly three years of Egyptian-brokered talks have failed to produce a deal for his release.
German mediators joined the talks, between Hamas and Israel, in July.German mediators joined the talks, between Hamas and Israel, in July.
The female Palestinian prisoners are described as low-profile detainees, most of whom were coming to the end of their sentences.The female Palestinian prisoners are described as low-profile detainees, most of whom were coming to the end of their sentences.
The first was released on Wednesday and 19 more are to be freed on Friday. Twenty are to be released under the deal, but the last prisoner is to be freed on Sunday after one of the women on the initial list was freed independently by the prison service.
Video 'genuine'Video 'genuine'
Although the tape has not yet been handed over to Israeli officials, its contents have been widely reported in the Israeli media.
It is thought that the tape was sent to Egypt with a Hamas delegation.It is thought that the tape was sent to Egypt with a Hamas delegation.
One Israeli official told Reuters that a German mediator had already seen the video and believed it showed recent images of Gilad Shalit, who is being held in Gaza.One Israeli official told Reuters that a German mediator had already seen the video and believed it showed recent images of Gilad Shalit, who is being held in Gaza.
Abu Mujahed, a spokesman for one of the Hamas groups involved in Mr Shalit's capture, said the minute-long video showed him "alive and moving", the agency reported.
It would be the first such footage showing the soldier in captivity. An audiotape and three letters have been released since his capture in 2006, the most recent dated in 2008.
Hamas has never allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross access to verify Mr Shalit's wellbeing.Hamas has never allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross access to verify Mr Shalit's wellbeing.
The militant group, which controls Gaza, is demanding the release at least 1,000 Palestinian prisoners to ensure the soldier's safe return home.The militant group, which controls Gaza, is demanding the release at least 1,000 Palestinian prisoners to ensure the soldier's safe return home.
Israeli President Shimon Peres has warned that securing his freedom will be a long and difficult task.Israeli President Shimon Peres has warned that securing his freedom will be a long and difficult task.