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Prisoners freed for Shalit tape Prisoners freed for Shalit tape
(31 minutes later)
Israel has released a group of 19 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel has released 19 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video of the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
A BBC reporter said the prisoners had crossed over to the Palestinian side of the West Bank border. Eighteen of the prisoners were handed over in the West Bank and another was released in Gaza.
The prisoners were not to be freed until officials had seen the video and seen proof that the soldier is alive.The prisoners were not to be freed until officials had seen the video and seen proof that the soldier is alive.
Israeli radio reported that the country's chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, had viewed the tape.Israeli radio reported that the country's chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, had viewed the tape.
An Israeli official told the BBC that Israeli negotiator Hagai Hadas had left army headquarters in Tel Aviv with a DVD copy of tape to deliver it to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
These would be the first images seen of the 23-year-old since he was captured by Hamas militants three years ago.These 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.
'Low-profile' prisoners'Low-profile' prisoners
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.
Banners showing Gilad Shalit have been hung near the Israel-Gaza borderBanners showing Gilad Shalit have been hung near the Israel-Gaza border
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.
Most were jailed for carrying knives or guns, some with involvement in suicide bombings.Most were jailed for carrying knives or guns, some with involvement in suicide bombings.
Eighteen of the women are from the West Bank. One, a woman who was pregnant when arrested, is due to be released to Gaza along with her two-year-old son.
In total, 20 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.In total, 20 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, which Hamas says carries a minute-long film, was sent to Egypt with a Hamas delegation.It is thought that the tape, which Hamas says carries a minute-long film, 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.
It is unclear whether the tape will be released to the public. Israeli reports suggest the decision will not be made until Israeli leaders and the Shalit family have viewed the footage.It is unclear whether the tape will be released to the public. Israeli reports suggest the decision will not be made until Israeli leaders and the Shalit family have viewed the footage.
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.