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Israel

Prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit video

September 30, 2009 12:24
Gilad Shalit

ByJessica Elgot, Jessica Elgot

1 min read

Israel has agreed to release 20 Palestinian woman prisoners in exchange for video proof that Gilad Shalit is alive.

International aid organisations are denied access to the solider, who was captured in 2006. No news has been heard from him since a letter in 2008 and an audio message in 2007.

Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said the decision was made because "it is important that the entire world know that Gilad Shalit is alive and well and that Hamas is responsible for his health and state."

He added: "The cabinet has decided to accept the Egyptian initiative as a confidence- building step in the frame of the indirect talks, ahead of the crucial steps in negotiations for Gilad Shalit's release, and based on the Israeli government's commitment to work determinedly to bring him home fast, while protecting the state of Israel's vital interests."