Pro-Shalit protest outside jail

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Protesters calling for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have camped outside an Israeli jail.

The protestors hope to block families of Palestinian prisoners from visiting their relatives inside.

One member of the group said it was "absurd that they [the prisoners] have cell phones, 12-channel television and Gilad is not afforded even one visit".

The protest was held outside Hadarim Detention Centre, the prison which holds Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.

The Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that arguments broke out on Tuesday between several visitors and protestors. However a bus carrying the visitors eventually entered the jail.

Similar protests were held outside detention centres last year.

Earlier this year, the group staged demonstrations outside the Israeli prime minister's residence and also tried to prevent fuel tanks from going into the Gaza Strip from Israel.

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Speaking to Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahranot, Hadar Miller, one of the group's organisers said: "It is no wonder that Hamas is not pressured to negotiate or to speed up the process. After all, their prisoners are here under conditions as comfortable as a hotel and even are afforded visits. So there is no rush."

"The objective of the protest is to turn the Palestinian mothers into our ambassadors. They will pass the message on to the prisoners and to the Hamas leadership in Gaza," protestor Yoel Marshak told the Israeli press.

"We hope this will set in motion and expedite the negotiations," Mr Marshak added.

Gilad Shalit's family are not taking part in the protests but have reportedly given their approval.

Late last year a German-mediated deal emerged in which hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be exchanged for Gilad Shalit. But the deal now appears to have faltered.

Gilad Shalit, 23, was captured in a raid into southern Israel by Palestinian militants from Gaza, in 2006.

Hamas want hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel, including senior militant leaders that Israel holds responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israeli citizens, to be freed in exchange for Sgt Shalit's release.

Israel holds about 10,000 Palestinian prisoners in jail on security grounds - a major bone of contention with the Palestinians.