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Israel begins Shalit tape swap Israel begins Shalit tape swap
(40 minutes later)
Israel has begun the release of a group of 19 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 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 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.
A German mediator is due to deliver what Hamas says is a minute-long film.A German mediator is due to deliver what Hamas says is a minute-long film.
It would be the first images seen of the 23-year-old since he was captured by Hamas militants three years ago.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.The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted a Hamas source as saying the video shows Sgt Shalit wearing civilian clothes and apparently in good health.
Banners showing Gilad Shalit have been hung near the Israel-Gaza border
An audiotape and three letters have been released since his capture in 2006, the most recent dated in 2008.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.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.
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.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'
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.
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.