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Abu Marzouk. Video too?
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Noam Rotem
Gilad Shalit: 988 days in captivity
Photo: Noam Rotem
Shalit's father in protest tent
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Report: Mashaal's deputy receives Shalit video

Kuwaiti newspaper reports that in addition to letter written by kidnapped Israeli soldier, Hamas' military wing also gave Abu Marzouk during his visit to Gaza a videotape showing Shalit in good condition. Group plans to use tape as bargaining chip in negotiations for prisoner swap with Israel

Hamas' deputy politburo chief Moussa Abu Marzouk received a videotape showing kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit during his recent secret visit to the Gaza Strip, Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida reported Monday, quoting sources close to the Palestinian movement.

 

Shalit is being held captive by Hamas' military wing. The same newspaper reported about a week ago that Abu Marzouk had also been handed a letter written by the kidnapped soldier.

 

According to the new report, Abu Marzouk received the tape from Ahmad Jabari, the military wing's commander in Gaza. The sources told the paper that the letter was delivered to the Syrian Foreign Ministry and that Abu Marzouk chose to keep the tape.

 

It was also reported that Hamas had no plans to give out the tape, which proves Shalit is in good health, "unless real and serious progress is made and concessions are made by Israel, and it goes back on its insistence in terms of the prisoner exchange deal."

 

The sources also told the paper that "Hamas is interested in using the tape as a strong bargaining chip at the end of the process, in order to prove its seriousness in wanting to end the matter."

 

According to the sources, Abu Mrazouk informed senior Egyptian officials of the videotape, but did not turn it over to them.

 

Protest tent in Jerusalem

Meanwhile, the kidnapped soldier's parents, Aviva and Noam Shalit, are preparing for their second day in the protest tent set up outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem.

 

Noam Shalit said upon arriving at the tent, "We will sit outside Olmert's house so that he sees us when he wakes up in the morning."

 

Bereaved parents protested near the tent, calling on the government not to release Palestinian murderers in exchange for Shalit.

 

Ynet learned on Sunday that Israeli security officials have been interviewing 'heavyweight' Palestinian prisoners in what the Palestinian Authority considers a sign of headway in the negotiations on a possible prisoner swap that would see Shalit released.

 

The prisoners who are being interviewed were all sentenced to multiple life sentences and are considered to have "blood on their hands". According to the prisoners' families and the lawyers representing them, Israeli officials have recently begun holding a series of meetings with the prisoners.

 

Also on Sunday, Egyptian sources reported that Israel's representative in the prisoner exchange negotiations, Ofer Dekel, arrived in Cairo for a lightning visit.

 

Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip 988 days ago.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.09.09, 08:14
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