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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 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 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 seized near the Gaza border in a joint raid by three militant groups. | |
| The capture sparked a lengthy Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip, in which dozens of people were killed. | |
| The message was issued as leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and Israel gather in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in an apparent show of support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | |
| Mr Abbas is engaged in a bitter power struggle with Hamas militants, who have taken over the Gaza Strip. | |
| 'Good health' | |
| In the message, 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. |
| International law absolutely prohibits taking a person by force to compel the enemy to meet certain demands B'Tselem human rights group class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/5115092.stm">2006: Soldier seized in raid class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/623580.stm">Mid-East leaders hold summit "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. | 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. | 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. | Abu Mujahid, of the Popular Resistance Committees, said Cpl Shalit was being treated according to Islamic law. |
| Cpl Shalit was captured by militants who tunnelled into Israel from the Gaza Strip on 25 June 2006. | |
| The operation was claimed by the al-Qassam Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees, and the Army of Islam. | |
| Shalit's family have attended a rally marking one year of captivity | |
| Cpl Shalit's captors have handed over a list of prisoners they want freed in exchange for him. | |
| About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. | |
| Israel has agreed to a prisoner swap in principle, but has disagreed about the number and category of Palestinian prisoners to be freed. | |
| 'Legitimate target' | 'Legitimate target' |
| On Sunday, Noam Shalit criticised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for not doing more to secure his son's release. | |
| "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. | 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." | "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. | 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. |