Israel Supplied with Proof-of-Life Video of Captured Soldier Gilad Shalit

Palestinian militant group Hamas has supplied Israel with a video of captured soldier Gilad Shalit as a sign of proof-of-life in return for the release of 20 Palestinian women prisoners that were being held in Israeli custody.

Shalit was captured by Hamas militants near the Gaza border in June 2006 and up until now there had been no real evidence that he was still alive. Israel has long maintained that his release would be necessary for any type of peace deal with Palestinians but Hamas has offered very little in information concerning the now 22-year-old soldier.

In the video Shalit says “I am physically well” and that his captures, al-Qassam Mujahideen Brigades, “are treating me fine.” Shalit held up a newspaper dated September 14, 2009 as proof that the video was legitimate and mentioned, “I am reading the paper to find information about myself and hoping to read about my release soon.”

It wasn’t until Israeli officials viewed the video that the women prisoners were released. Nineteen of those women were released and could be seen reuniting with relatives in the West Bank while the final prisoner will be released on Sunday.

While Friday’s news was being hailed as a positive sign that there could be a lasting peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians the actual release of Shalit remains a question. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed that saying, “Even though the road to his release is long and difficult, the knowledge that he is safe and well should encourage us all.”

Hamas has long demanded the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for the return of Shalit.

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