Video shows Israeli soldier, prisoners freed

An Israeli soldier held captive by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas for the past three years appears healthy and coherent in a two-minute video received by Israel yesterday, Israeli officials said.

In the classic "proof of life" gesture, Gilad Shalit, abducted in 2006, was shown holding an Arabic-language newspaper dated September 14, said one official who saw the video.

He read from a text, telling of his condition and asking for his release. He was wearing glasses and dressed in what appeared to be military uniform, the official said.

The recorded images of Mr Shalit, 23, were handed over in exchange for Israel's release of 20 Palestinian women from its jails, one of whom brought home a 20-month-old boy born in prison to a joyful reception in the Islamist-run Gaza Strip.

The swap with Hamas, brokered by German and Egyptian diplomacy, could be a step towards a larger prisoner release and eventual freedom for Mr Shalit, priorities for Israel and Hamas since his capture in a cross-border raid in June 2006.

"Although the path to his release is still long and difficult, the knowledge that he is healthy encourages us all," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying by his spokesman Nir Hefetz.

Mr Hefetz told reporters: "The prime minister believes the video is important because it confirms Gilad Shalit's condition and places total responsibility for Gilad's well-being on Hamas."

In the Gaza Strip, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said he hoped it would be "a step on the way to freeing our men and women prisoners from occupation jails".

"I hope it will be step towards Palestinian reconciliation and national unity. I see the Palestinian people today united behind this step," he told a crowd welcoming home Fatima al-Zaq, who was pregnant when arrested and gave birth in jail.

Mr Shalit, who is also a French citizen, served in a tank unit. He was last seen by Israelis when Islamist militants tunnelled into Israel from the Gaza Strip and killed two of his fellow soldiers. Two attackers were also killed and Mr Shalit was abducted. The International Committee of the Red Cross has not visited Mr Shalit and only a few letters and an audio tape have reached his parents, who have waged a campaign for his release.

Israeli officials said the video was authenticated before the women were released. Mr Shalit's parents saw copies before deciding to make it public later in the day.