GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, June 25, 2007
Captured Israeli Soldier: I Need Help
Hamas Releases Gilad Shalit Audio On One-Year Anniversary Of Capture, Start of Summit
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A family photo of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, then 19. (AP)
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The entire Arab world "will see two very prominent national leaders shaking hands with the head of the Palestinian Authority and the prime minister of the state of Israel," said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, before he did just that with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Sharm el-Sheikh, June 25, 2007. (AFP)
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Noam Shalit calls for the release of his son and two other Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah in July 2006 during a protest in Jerusalem, Sunday, June 24, 2007. (Getty Images)
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Interactive Mideast Conflict Events, key players and a history of the world's most unstable region.
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Photo Essay Fight For Gaza Hamas and Fatah battle for control of Palestinian territories.
In the message, posted on a Web site of the Hamas military wing, Cpl. Gilad Shalit said his health is deteriorating and that he needs to go to a hospital. He also said in the brief statement that he is disappointed in the "lack of interest" of the Israeli government in his fate.
The message was released on the anniversary of his June 25, 2006, capture by Hamas-allied militants who tunneled into Israel. Shalit's father and grandfather told Israeli media they believed the voice was Gilad's, although the father expressed doubts to the Ynet news site.
In other developments:
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the tape was "another testimony to the cruelty of Hamas" and that the contents of the tape would be discussed at the summit. However, the prime minister's office said that "there is no change in the government's policy."
"The prime minister has no doubt that the text was dictated to Gilad Shalit by Hamas," a senior official in his office told reporters.
Still, during the summit Monday, Olmert announced, "As a gesture of good will towards the Palestinians, I will bring before the Israeli Cabinet a proposal to free 250 Fatah prisoners who do not have blood on their hands, after they sign a commitment not to return to violence."
It was not believed there was a direct connection between Olmert's announcement and the Shalit tape, only an indirect one.
"The idea is that when Hamas prisoners see the Fatah members getting out, they will pressure Hamas to soften its demands for a prisoner exchange," says Berger. "Also, Israel wants Abbas to get the credit for the release of prisoners and not Hamas."
Olmert also promised to "improve freedom of movement of the Palestinian population in the West Bank substatinally" and reopen trade ties with the territory, saying he wanted to show the Palestinians that "choosing the path of no terror or violence the way of peace and dialogue will bring a better, more comfortable, more peaceful life."
Militants affiliated with the Islamic group Hamas seized Shalit and killed two other soldiers on June 25, 2006, at an army base after tunneling into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Negotiations for his release, mediated by Egypt, have repeatedly broken down and been complicated since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip two weeks ago.
Shalit, 20, had not been seen or heard from since he was captured.
"I feel really sorry for the way the Israeli government and the Defense ministry carelessly handled my case, the way they turned down the demands submitted to them by al-Qassam brigades," Shalit says on the tape. "It is their duty to respond to such demands in order for me to be set free."
"The same way I have a family; a mother and a father, the thousands of Palestinian prisoners have got mothers and fathers of their own," Shalit said.
"I have spent one year in prison now, and my health condition is deteriorating. I'm in constant need of hospital treatment," he said.
"Shalit is alive and in very good shape," said Abu Mujahid, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, one of three Hamas-linked groups that captured Shalit, earlier Monday. "His health is good and he's stable. We are treating him according to our religion's instructions on how to deal with war prisoners."
Abu Mujahid said Shalit "doesn't need anything" and is receiving the "best treatment."
Meanwhile, the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem accused the militants holding Shalit of war crimes.
"International humanitarian law absolutely prohibits taking and holding a person by force in order to compel the enemy to meet certain demands, while threatening to harm or kill the person if the demands are not met," the group said. "Furthermore, hostage-taking is considered a war crime."
Hamas is responsible for securing Shalit's release since it effectively controls the security situation in Gaza, B'tselem said. The militants holding the soldier have violated international law further by not allowing Red Cross representatives to visit him, the group said.
Abu Mujahid shrugged off B'tselem's accusations, saying Shalit was captured inside a tank that was used to fight Palestinians.
"Any occupiers on the land are a legitimate target because they are soldiers," Abu Mujahid said. Israel is the one that has committed war crimes by killing Palestinian civilians, he said.
As the summit got under way, Olmert held separate talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Abbas. Jordanian King Abdullah II arrived later in Sharm to join them in a four-way meeting later in the evening.
The Arabs and Palestinians are pressing Israel to take immediate advantage of the Hamas militants' expulsion from the coalition government and make quick peace progress despite the Palestinians' split between a Gaza ruled by the Iranian-backed Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank run by Abbas' Western-backed Fatah in the West Bank.
But Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said major peace negotiations cannot take place until the Palestinians end their divisions. He said Abbas needs to win "the full support of the Palestinians who voted for Hamas."
"Obviously if there's more than one representative of the Palestinians then we cannot negotiate a deal," Palmor said. "So we will need to have and the Palestinians will need to have one sole authorized, recognized interlocutor."
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak invited Abbas, Olmert and Jordan's King Abdullah II to Sharm el-Sheik in a show of support for the Palestinian president in his struggle with Hamas. The meeting is also meant to show that Abbas of Fatah can move ahead with peacemaking.
Olmert said the gathering would show all sides' "genuine desire to build up a process" of peace-making.
The message supporting Hamas from Ayman al-Zawahri, who is Osama bin Laden's top deputy, marked a major shift by al Qaeda, which in the past criticized Hamas for joining a government with the U.S.-supported Fatah faction.
The audiotape was clearly made after Hamas' takeover of Gaza earlier this month, marking a rapid response from al Qaeda's top leadership to the events. Its authenticity could not be independently confirmed, but it was posted on a Web forum where al-Zawahri has issued messages in the past.
Al-Zawahri urged Hamas to implement Islamic law in Gaza, telling it, "Taking over power is not a goal but a means to implement God's word on earth."
"Unite with mujahedeen (holy warriors) in Palestine ... and with all mujahedeen in the world in the face of the upcoming attack where Egyptians and Saudis are expected to play part of it," he added, suggesting that the two countries intend to attack Hamas to uproot its control of Gaza.
"Provide them (Hamas) with money, do your best to get it there, break the siege imposed on them by crusaders and Arab leader traitors," al-Zawahri, who is Osama bin Laden's top deputy, said, addressing Muslims around the world. "Facilitate weapons smuggling from neighboring countries."
"We can support them by targeting the crusader and Zionist interest wherever we can," al-Zawahri said.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add a Comment See all 37 Comments
- 'Fatah isn't enough
Israel needs to finalize agreement acceptable to vast majority of Palestinians'- ynetnews.com
-For those who were enjoying the Isolation and exclusion of Hamas off the meeeting in Sharm-El-Sheikh look this article saying this is a bad move remote controled (AGAIN) by the lunatics and narrow and tight-sighted planners of AIPAC-PNAC in Washington.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3415761,00.html
HAMAS still enjoys, more than ever, the deep support of most of the ground Palestinians, those who are rooted to the people, to the soil of Gaza and West-Bank. Abbas is not convinced of all this game-playing in front of Cameras and official hand-shakings. All conditions imposed on him before getting a concession from the Israelis, are harmful to his credibility and his leadership. No concessions by Israel to their running horse, will translate into more disappointment and resentment from his own supporters toward his dovish approach to peace settlement.
Shaul Arieli is right. Israel needs to have abroader agreement and commitment from all Palestinian, most probably from all Arabs as well... This would be the only way, if they want the Arabs to honor their word, they have to show they are a good asset to have in the Middle-East, not a deleterous one. Hopefully Israel will understand once for all... - Reply to this comment
- -(see Arab MEMRI PRESS)....
-Thus, as the Crusaders found , the best course it ISOLATION. Accordingling, we must become energy independent/.
Posted by Hamiltongrad
- Two things are to pointed at in your posting.
-First: For somebody who pretends to be fair, sorry, you failed as of me. MEMRI is profoundly biased. Period. So you just can't use it as reference, unless you are part of the Editing team...
-Second: we must become energy independent.
I agree with you. Positively work on it... - Reply to this comment
- As a College professor, and a JFK liberal, I believe in tolerance, but I also believe in the responsibility of the USA to bring decomcracy to the world, to help people who are fighting for true freedom, and to do what we can to fully protect Americans.
I have dedicated my life to the study of history, and I believe I can bring special wisdom and understanding to this blog.
Here are three concepts to consider. 1. Democracies on the West run on the Judeo Christian foundation, which gave birth to the Magna Carter, 1066. 2.Without that foundation, all other civilizations are in fact struggling groups of envious tribes, comepeting without rule, or respect, and therefore violence of the worst type (torture, baby killing, forced sodomy on boys to make them into suicide bombers (see Arab MEMRI PRESS). 3. We can not just have "elections" and expect the lower tiered civilizations to become Conn. or R.I ( perhaps NJ- just a joke !). They have no history of self control of vilolence, and the states are little more than colonial bargaining lines cutting cross viscious tribes of led by hate filled maniacs, and backed by either oil or diamond. While we respond to cooperative initiations, they respond to brute power.
While we can lead by example, that has not worked for the UN.
Thus, as the Crusaders found , the best course it ISOLATION. Accordingling, we must become energy independent/. - Reply to this comment
- "Shalit is alive and in very good shape," said Abu Mujahid, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, one of three Hamas-linked groups that captured Shalit, earlier Monday. "His health is good and he's stable. We are treating him according to our religion's instructions on how to deal with war prisoners."
Abu Mujahid said Shalit "doesn't need anything" and is receiving the "best treatment."
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Can you believe this Jew? Even trying the old sympathy scam while being a POW! Well, it is their nature. I'll bet he'll wind up owning all the real-estate in Gaza before this thing is through. By the time he's rescued, he'll be living in Florida collecting rent checks from Hamas. - Reply to this comment
- hamiltongrad wrote:
"Against all rules of decency, take some poor soldier or in this case one only 19 years old, and yesterday a BBC reporter, torture them . LET THEM GO !"
Yeah, how dare someone capture a SOLDIER and keep him held prisoner for a year.
I mean, it's much more humane to capture "suspects" in an overseas country, kidnap them, torture them and hold them prisoner for a numbers of years without granting them appropriate legal access. Even if they are only 15 years old.
Sigh. I bet you don't even understand the irony of your comments.
However, in the case of the BBC reporter, I completely agree with you. - Reply to this comment
- If the Palestinians want to be treated as humans by Israel, then they must first act like humans, second, treat one another as humans, stop complaining and do something for themselves besides kill. Is it any wonder Israel does not want them for neighbors? Would any country in their right mind want those wild animals living next door? They destroyed or stole everything Israel left behind for them in Gaza, they cheer in the streets for Hamas, who has brought them nothing but death and misery and war. There was a time, not long ago when I sympathized with the plight of Palestinians, but they have proved that they are not capable of governing themselves. All they understand is killing, and an endless, mindless cycle of revenge and more killing. They are reaping what they sow.
- Reply to this comment
- "We must remember, in the words of one of the chief rabbis of Israel, that 'ten thousand Arabs are not worth the fingernail of a Jew.' --Prickofwhales
You got a cite for that, bubba? Also, any references on how Jewish children are taught to spit on Christian graves. like you stated the other day?
How about Jews drink the blood of Christian babies for Passover?
Die nazi scum. - Reply to this comment
- Neo cons are so what is the word stupid they come up with all kinds of reasons as long as you don't look into the reason they they are okay but once you look into the reason they say well its someone elses fault.
- Reply to this comment
- I wish Israeil would just wipe out the Palestinians and get rid of them. They are just like crabs on a mans balls.
Posted by peyton163 at 12:11 PM : Jun 25, 2007
Let me guess. You think of yourself as civilized and probably you go to church every Sunday and slap yourself on the back for being a "good" Christian. It's people like you that brought 9/11 on the US and will bring more on us. - Reply to this comment
- "The message supporting Hamas from Ayman al-Zawahri, who is Osama bin Laden's top deputy"
true, not true? who knows.
fact is continual war suits israels' neocons just fine - the American money keeps pouring in and arms too - so what the helll, let's keep everything.
more striking , if the statement is true, is that Al-Qaeda, which is a bloodsucker, can nourish itself, finds more adherents to its "cause", if Hamas is pushed farther and farther away from its elected role as representatives of the palestinians.
oldmutt and bushit are total undeniable losers. - Reply to this comment
- peyton163,,, Don't want crabs ?? Change your friends & your sheets... Beating them with a stick won't work.
- Reply to this comment
- The Emergency Powers (Detentions) Law only applies once a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Knesset. Such a state of emergency has been in force since the founding of the State of Israel. -
b'tselem, israeli human rights org. - Reply to this comment
- Radio,,, Democracy & Free Elections is what it all supposed to be about, no matter what the orginizations charter is.....
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- radiob :
There is an enormous difference between "recognizing Israel's existence" and "recognizing Israel's right to exist." From a Palestinian perspective, the difference is in the same league as the difference between asking a Jew to acknowledge that the Holocaust happened and asking him to concede that the Holocaust was morally justified. For Palestinians to acknowledge the occurrence of the Nakba %u2013 the expulsion of the great majority of Palestinians from their homeland between 1947 and 1949 %u2013 is one thing. For them to publicly concede that it was "right" for the Nakba to have happened would be something else entirely. For the Jewish and Palestinian peoples, the Holocaust and the Nakba, respectively, represent catastrophes and injustices on an unimaginable scale that can neither be forgotten nor forgiven.
To demand that Palestinians recognize "Israel's right to exist" is to demand that a people who have been treated as subhumans unworthy of basic human rights publicly proclaim that they are subhumans. It would imply Palestinians' acceptance that they deserve what has been done and continues to be done to them. Even 19th-century US governments did not require the surviving native Americans to publicly proclaim the "rightness" of their ethnic cleansing by European colonists as a condition precedent to even discussing what sort of land reservation they might receive.
christian science monitor - Reply to this comment
- Radio,,, Crazy ain't it ? All Arab people support the elimination of Isreal, yet Bush still tries to sell our Country & National Security Assets to the UAE, and anyone else.
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- The only way the people of Israel will see Shalit, Eldad and Goldwasser alive again,
US1881
Wow, you named all 3 !
Now name me one palestinian of the 10'000 now in israeli jails without charges?
Or the name of the little girl on the Gaza beach last year whose whole family was turned into hamburger meat before her eyes, and which lead to the above mentioned kidnappings.
You see, the israelis have names and are human being with familes - but so are the palestinians! - Reply to this comment
- hamiltongrad...... Palestinians did just exacly that,, Stood up for decency & freedom ---- They voted in Hamas in a democratic electtion.
Posted by j-whitman
How does voting for a organization whose charter calls for the elimination of Jews and the repression of Jews standing up for decency and freedom? Hamas has never renounced its charter,the PLO was FOUNDED by ARAB NATIONS with the purpose of eliminating Israel and disposing theirselves of the their arab brothers(the palestinians) ,Fatah was formed in the same manner except in Kuwait. The Palestinians along with the Israelis have before them now a opportunity to a road map for peace.75% of Palestinians want a new election, apparently they are not satisfied with their choice, if the election were held today the Fatah party which Abbas is a member of would win the majority of the seats. - Reply to this comment
- hamiltongrad,,,, Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't your "Golden Rule" -- Keep redefining the truth untill it meets your ideaology & politics ????
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- Has B'T Saleem ever raised a word about the thousands of Palestinians held by the racist Likudnik monsters and their offspring? But, of course, we must remember and respect the religious view of these poor, persecuted beyond endurance occupiers of Palestine...the view that the only humans we are dealing with here are Jews (a view that most Jews do not hold)...the rest of us mere mortals, not only the Palestinians, but the Americans who are taxed, die and suffer for Israel's sake, are seen as merely "supernal refuse." We must remember, in the words of one of the chief rabbis of Israel, that 'ten thousand Arabs are not worth the fingernail of a Jew.' So forget the torture centers for those Lebanese who are still in captivity since the Sharon invasion. Forget the Palestinians who have lived for decades in a concentration camp...just think of poor Shalit and his fellows...the only humans with whom we are instructed to feel sympathy.
These are the words of conquerors that burn in the ears of the people of the Middle East...but never seem to find their way into the mainstream media of the United States. - Reply to this comment
- hamiltongrad,,,, I'm curious, just what is your "Golden Rule" ???
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