Word: shalit
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Egypt, France, Germany and Qatar - anyone who is willing and able to open up lines of communication with the two groups behind the kidnapping. Israeli and Arab newspapers are full of often contradictory reports about possible terms for the hostages' release. The latest, as yet unconfirmed, claims that Gilad Shalit, the 18-year-old soldier seized by Palestinian militants, will soon be freed through Egyptian efforts, and in exchange Israel will began a phased release of up to 800 Palestinian prisoners...
...even that could come with a price. When asked by intermediaries if the captors would be willing to provide signs of life, one captor replied, "Nothing is free." The Palestinians and Hizballah also refused Red Cross pleas that three Israeli prisoners - Eldad Regev and Udi Goldwasser, along with Shalit - be allowed to contact their families...
...case of Shalit, the Israelis have plenty of Palestinian prisoners for an exchange. For starters, the Israelis will almost certainly release more than 30 parliamentarians belonging to the Hamas-led government, who were arrested after Shalit's capture, presumably to be used as bargaining chips. A cell of the military wing of Hamas, along with other Palestinian militant groups, is thought to have carried out the raid on an Israeli army post near Gaza in which Shalit was captured. The Israelis are also holding thousands of Palestinians for alleged terrorist crimes, and some of these may also be thrown into...
...Hamas sources in Gaza tell TIME that talks over Shalit's release could lay the groundwork for a wider truce between Israel and the Palestinian authorities. Hamas sources say their militant leaders are offering a cease-fire and will stop lobbing rockets into Israel from Gaza if Israel lifts its blockade on the Palestinian coastal strip. Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres also made clear Tuesday that the return of Shalit would likely be followed by talks between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Olmert - a significant development since Abbas looks set to work together with Hamas in a national unity...
...release of the 18-year-old corporal, who is said to be in good shape even though his captors have so far refused to offer any proof he is still alive. So far, various mediators, including the Egyptians and the French, have tried to strike a bargain for Shalit's freedom, suggesting that the soldier be swapped for dozens or perhaps hundreds of Palestinians inside Israeli jails. Harder demands are now expected from the militant kidnappers...