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Hamas airs first 'Shalit message' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Palestinian captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have broadcast what they say is his first audio message since his capture a year ago. | |
The voice on the tape says his health is worsening and he needs medical help. | |
The recording was put on a website of the military wing of Hamas. Cpl Shalit was captured near the Gaza border in a joint raid by three militant groups. | |
Separately, Hamas's television station has broadcast apparent footage of Cpl Shalit's capture on 25 June 2006. | |
It shows a soldier being pulled by two figures dressed in Israeli army uniforms. | |
International law absolutely prohibits taking a person by force to compel the enemy to meet certain demands B'Tselem human rights group 2006: Soldier seized in raid In the audio message, which was posted on a website supporting the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the man purported to be Cpl Shalit is heard speaking Hebrew. | |
"I've been in prison one year. My situation is deteriorating. I need an extended period in hospital," the voice says. | "I've been in prison one year. My situation is deteriorating. I need an extended period in hospital," the voice says. |
"I am sorry that the Israeli government has not shown more interest. It should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released." | "I am sorry that the Israeli government has not shown more interest. It should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released." |
It was not possible to authenticate the tape, although Cpl Shalit's father, Noam, told Israeli media it sounded genuine. | |
Earlier, a spokesman for the militants holding Cpl Shalit said the 20-year-old soldier was in good health. | |
Abu Mujahid, of the Popular Resistance Committees, said Cpl Shalit was being treated according to Islamic law. | |
'Legitimate target' | |
On Sunday, Mr Shalit criticised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for not doing more to secure his son's release. | On Sunday, Mr Shalit criticised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for not doing more to secure his son's release. |
Shalit's family have attended a rally marking one year of captivity"It's the test of a leader," said Mr Shalit. "If you do not know what to do, give your portfolio to someone who can bring about results immediately." | |
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has accused Cpl Shalit's captors of committing a war crime. | |
"International humanitarian law absolutely prohibits taking and holding a person by force in order to compel the enemy to meet certain demands, while threatening to harm or kill the person if the demands are not met," the group said. | "International humanitarian law absolutely prohibits taking and holding a person by force in order to compel the enemy to meet certain demands, while threatening to harm or kill the person if the demands are not met," the group said. |
"Furthermore, hostage-taking is considered a war crime." | |
Abu Mujahid brushed off B'Tselem's accusation, saying the soldier was a prisoner of war who had been captured inside a tank used to fight Palestinians. | |
"Any occupiers on the land are a legitimate target because they are soldiers," he said. | "Any occupiers on the land are a legitimate target because they are soldiers," he said. |
Israel has agreed to a prisoner swap in principle, but has disagreed about the number and category of Palestinian prisoners to be freed. | Israel has agreed to a prisoner swap in principle, but has disagreed about the number and category of Palestinian prisoners to be freed. |
Mr Olmert told the cabinet on Sunday the government had made "supreme efforts to win freedom for Gilad Shalit". | Mr Olmert told the cabinet on Sunday the government had made "supreme efforts to win freedom for Gilad Shalit". |