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| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Tape shows Shalit 'safe and well' | Tape shows Shalit 'safe and well' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been seen in a video released by Palestinian militant group Hamas, the first sight of him since his capture in 2006. | |
| In the film, sent by Hamas in exchange for the release of 20 Palestinian women prisoners, a healthy-looking Sgt Shalit read aloud and held up a newspaper. | |
| "I hope and I am waiting... for the day I will be released," he said. | |
| Nineteen of the Palestinian prisoners were freed earlier, amid emotional scenes in the West Bank and Gaza. | Nineteen of the Palestinian prisoners were freed earlier, amid emotional scenes in the West Bank and Gaza. |
| Sgt Shalit appeared clean-shaven and with trimmed hair, smiling briefly as he spoke coherently in the video, which is more than two minutes long. | |
| He was dressed in uniform, seated in a chair against a featureless wall and was holding a newspaper dated 14 September 2009. | |
| Eighteen of the prisoners were handed over in the West Bank on Friday and another was released in Gaza. | Eighteen of the prisoners were handed over in the West Bank on Friday and another was released in Gaza. |
| The prisoners were not freed until officials had seen the video. | The prisoners were not freed until officials had seen the video. |
| A 20th prisoner will be released on Sunday. | A 20th prisoner will be released on Sunday. |
| Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu described Sgt Shalit him as "safe and well" after seeing the footage. | |
| In a statement issued after both the prime minister and the Shalit family had viewed the footage, Mr Netanyahu said: "Even though the road to his release is long and difficult, the knowledge that he is safe and well should encourage us all." | In a statement issued after both the prime minister and the Shalit family had viewed the footage, Mr Netanyahu said: "Even though the road to his release is long and difficult, the knowledge that he is safe and well should encourage us all." |
| 'Low-profile' prisoners | 'Low-profile' prisoners |
| 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. |
| Some of the Palestinian prisoners being greeted by relatives | Some of the Palestinian prisoners being greeted by relatives |
| An audiotape and three letters have been released since his capture in 2006, the most recent dated in 2008, but no images of Sgt Shalit have been seen until now. | An audiotape and three letters have been released since his capture in 2006, the most recent dated in 2008, but no images of Sgt Shalit have been seen until now. |
| 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. |
| Most were jailed for carrying knives or guns and for attempted murder. | Most were jailed for carrying knives or guns and for attempted murder. |
| The further prisoner is to be released, replacing a woman who was on the original list for the prisoner exchange but was freed independently by the prison service this week. | The further prisoner is to be released, replacing a woman who was on the original list for the prisoner exchange but was freed independently by the prison service this week. |
| 'Incomplete joy' | 'Incomplete joy' |
| There were emotional scenes as those freed in the West Bank were greeted by relatives before an audience with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. | There were emotional scenes as those freed in the West Bank were greeted by relatives before an audience with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. |
| One woman whose son was born in jail was freed in Gaza as part of the deal | One woman whose son was born in jail was freed in Gaza as part of the deal |
| "My feeling right now is one of enormous joy," said Jihad Abu Turki, as she arrived in the city of Ramallah. | "My feeling right now is one of enormous joy," said Jihad Abu Turki, as she arrived in the city of Ramallah. |
| "But the joy remains incomplete without my sisters who are still in prison." | "But the joy remains incomplete without my sisters who are still in prison." |
| It is thought that the videotape handed over on Friday was sent to Egypt with a Hamas delegation. | It is thought that the videotape handed over on Friday was sent to Egypt with a Hamas delegation. |
| 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 of at least 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier's safe return home. | The militant group, which controls Gaza, is demanding the release of at least 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 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. |