Noam Shalit in rally for son's release
Photo: Herzel Yosef
'We will not rest until Gilad is released'
Shalit family welcomes breakthrough in negotiations leading to videotaped sign of life from soldier captive for 1,193 days. Shalit Campaign members call on both sides to continue with determination until Shalit is released
"We wait breathlessly to receive a first authentic sign of life from Gilad," members of the Campaign for the Release of Gilad Shalit announced hours after news of
the deal according to which Israel will receive a videotape proving Shalit is alive were made public.
"The Shalit family welcomes the significant achievement made by the current negotiations team headed by Hagai Hadas and led by the German team and the Egyptian team, headed by Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman," the campaign's statement read.
Statement
Hamas' deputy politburo chief says more details on 'videotape' deal expected Thursday or Friday. Hamas sources say clip one minute long, demands remain unchanged
The Shalit family also released a statement which referred to the current deal as "a first step in the right direction on the way to release Gilad." The statement further promised that the family will not rest, with the support of the devoted activists and the general public, until Gilad is home, after nearly 1,200 days in Hamas captivity.
The Shalit campaign addressed both sides of the negotiations calling them to move ahead in a process which began with great determination and consistency until the final result is quickly achieved.
The deal was approved by the Political-Security Cabinet, and a joint statement was issued at the same time in Jerusalem, Cairo and the Gaza Strip.
According to details negotiated with German and Egyptian mediation, Israel will receive Friday a videotape containing verification that Shalit is indeed alive. In return, 20 female Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will be released.
The German mediator has already watched the tape and a Hamas source said it was one minute long.
The list of prisoners due to be released was published in the Israel Prison Service's website. It will allow for petitions for their release to be filed during the 48 hours until the deal is fulfilled.
Gilad Shalit was abducted to the Gaza Strip 1,193 days ago
