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Photo: Noam Rotem
Gilad Shalit
Photo: Noam Rotem
Photo: Reuters
Defense Minister Barak (archives)
Photo: Reuters

Barak: Talks will continue until Gilad returns

Defense minister telephones kidnapped soldier's father ahead of expected arrival of videotape containing sign of life from captive soldier

Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke Wednesday with the father of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, and told him that "what stands before my eyes is the continuation of the negotiations until Gilad returns home."

 

Barak telephoned Noam Shalit ahead of the expected arrival of a videotape containing a sign of life from the captive soldier.

 

Israeli officials said Wednesday evening that the tape slated to be received by the Shalit family on Friday is one-minute long and shows the kidnapped soldier with his face to the camera. The video will also include proof that it was taken recently.

 

The tape will be handed over to Israel after 20 female Palestinian prisoners are freed. Before their release, the prisoners will be brought to the Sharon Prison, where they will undergo a medical examination and meet with Red Cross representatives.

 

Osama al-Muzaini, a senior Hamas member responsible for talks over the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilda Shalit, welcomed the "videotape deal" approved by the Israeli government on Wednesday, saying it was a source of optimism.

 

Al-Muzaini confirmed that the German mediator between Israel and Hamas had a key role in the deal, alongside Egyptian mediation efforts.

  

"This deal was made possible thanks to the effort made by the German mediator and his ability to create a breakthrough," he said. "We don't want to sink in optimism because there are still obstacles, but this partial deal provides a foundation for optimism."

 

The shalit family welcomed the deal on Wednesday afternoon. "We wait breathlessly to receive a first authentic sign of life from Gilad," the captive's relatives said in a statement.

  

Avi Cohen contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.30.09, 21:55
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