This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8286206.stm
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Hamas tape shows 'healthy' Shalit | Hamas tape shows 'healthy' Shalit |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| An Israeli soldier held by Hamas in Gaza for three years appears healthy in a video handed over to the Israeli authorities, officials say. | An Israeli soldier held by Hamas in Gaza for three years appears healthy in a video handed over to the Israeli authorities, officials say. |
| Gilad Shalit appeared in the video with trimmed hair and spoke coherently, Israel's Channel 10 said. | Gilad Shalit appeared in the video with trimmed hair and spoke coherently, Israel's Channel 10 said. |
| Israel has released 19 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the video. | Israel has released 19 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the video. |
| 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, which is said to be about two minutes long and to have been recorded on 14 September. | The prisoners were not freed until officials had seen the video, which is said to be about two minutes long and to have been recorded on 14 September. |
| A 20th prisoner will be released on Sunday. | A 20th prisoner will be released on Sunday. |
| Israeli radio reported that the country's chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, viewed the tape before it was delivered to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. | Israeli radio reported that the country's chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, viewed the tape before it was delivered 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. |
| 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. |
| '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. |
| Israel releases Palestinian prisoners | Israel releases Palestinian prisoners |
| 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. |
| The 20th prisoner to be released replaces a woman who was on the original list but was freed independently by the prison service last week. | The 20th prisoner to be released replaces a woman who was on the original list but was freed independently by the prison service last week. |
| 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. |
| "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." |
| Video 'genuine' | Video 'genuine' |
| 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. |
| It is unclear whether the tape will be released to the public. | It is unclear whether the tape will be released to the public. |
| Israeli reports suggested that the decision would not be made until Israeli leaders and the Shalit family had viewed the footage. | Israeli reports suggested that the decision would not be made until Israeli leaders and the Shalit family had 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. |