Hamas: Video of Shalit for release of women, other detainees

A senior Hamas official said Thursday his group was ready to give Israel a videotape of captured solider Gilad Shalit if it agrees to release Palestinian women prisoners and other detainees.

Israeli media had reported earlier this week that Hamas would provide a video showing Shalit alive - the first such indication since his capture by Hamas-linked gunmen on June 25.

Then, according to the reports, Israel would release 450 prisoners in exchange for the soldier, who would be handed over to Egyptian officials and transferred to Israel. Egypt has been mediating between Israel and Hamas.

However, the Shalit family denied having received any tape, and the Prime Minister's Office reported that the report was false.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau in Damascus, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that Shalit is alive. He said his group was willing to trade the videotape for the freedom of "Palestinian women and a considerable number of detainees."

He did not give a specific figure. Abu Marzouk said the demand was "modest in light of the high price Palestinian people have paid and the collective punishment they have faced by Israel following the capture of the solider."