VIDEO - Palestinian groups involved in the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit said Tuesday that they will not kill the IDF corporal, despite the expiration of an ultimatum issued Monday. The ultimatum demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners by 6 a.m. Tuesday.
"Some think that the groups who conducted the operation (kidnapped Shalit) can kill him, but our Islamic principles stipulate that prisoners should be respected," Abu al-Muthana, spokesman for the Islamic Army told AFP.
The Islamic Army said earlier that no further information would be given on the captive's fate after Israel refused to meet a deadline on Tuesday to free prisoners.
"Discussion is closed," Said Abu al-Muthana. "Whether he will be killed or not killed, we will not disclose any information about the fate of the soldier."
There was no immediate comment from the other two groups that were involved in capturing Corporal Gilad Shalit on June 25, the Popular Resistance Committees and Hamas.
Negotiations ensue
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to negotiate Shalits' release continue. Palestinian sources told the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat that talks were held on a deal to free the hostage, in the framework of which Shalit will be transferred to the hands of Egypt or France in exchange for tangible guarantees prisoners will be released.
According to the same sources, if the abductors agree to the deal, Shalit will he handed unharmed to Egypt or France, and in return both states would vouch for an Israeli commitment to free Palestinian prisoners, halt its activity in the Gaza Strip and withdraw its forces from the area. Israel will also be required to remove its embargo on Gaza and put an end to targeted killings.
In exchange, the Palestinian factions would cease all Qassam fire at Israel. The sources said they believe Egypt would agree to this offer.
Community united
Media crews have been waiting outside the house of the Shalit family since early morning, as the family itself waited for updates from Gaza.
Several residents in Mitzpe Hila expressed doubts regarding the quiet way with which the Shalit family was handling the abduction affair. "People here keep asking the question what is the best way to raise public awareness to the matter. Had the family members been a bit more 'loud' about this, this may have helped promote the negotiations," one of the community's members told Ynet.
Gilad's father, Noam, at his home in Mitzpe Hila Tuesday morning (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
According to the resident, the people of Mitzpe Hila were united around the ordeal. "People who never exchanged more than 'hellos' are sitting together, talking and speculating. We have never encountered such a situation. People voice their greatest fears and wildest speculations," she described.
A neighbor of the Shalits, Rivka Be'er, said that the atmosphere at the family's house is tense and difficult. "It's not hard to imagine what they're going through at these moments and what tension they are subjected to. There are not enough words to describe the difficulty," she added.
Ultimatum rejected
On Monday morning Gilad Shalit's abductors issued an ultimatum demanding that Israel release prisoners by 6 a.m. Tuesday. "Military Communique 3" Issued by Hamas' armed wing and two other factions said: "If the enemy does not agree to our humanitarian demands ... We will regard this case as closed."
Unless their demands were met, the factions said, "the enemy will bear full responsibility for future consequences".
Officials at the Prime Minister's Office rejected the ultimatum and said Israel will not negotiate a prisoner exchange deal with the Hamas government.
"The Israeli government will not give in to blackmail by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, led by murderous terror organizations. We will hold no negotiations over the release of prisoners," officials said.
"The Palestinian Authority bears full responsibility for Gilad Shalit's wellbeing and for his safe and healthy return to Israel," the PM's office said in a statement.
Roee Nahmias and News Agencies contributed to the report