Shalit was captured several hundred
meteres from the Gaza border
Posted on 06/25/2007 6:56:00 AM PDT by yankeedame
Last Updated: Monday, 25 June 2007, 13:12 GMT 14:12 UK
Shalit was captured several hundred
meteres from the Gaza border
The Palestinian captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have broadcast what they say is his first audio message since his capture a year ago. The voice on the tape says his health is worsening and he needs medical help.
The recording was put on a website of the military wing of Hamas. Cpl Shalit was captured near the Gaza border in a joint raid by three militant groups.
Separately, Hamas's television station has broadcast apparent footage of Cpl Shalit's capture on 25 June 2006.
It shows a soldier being pulled by two figures dressed in Israeli army uniforms.
International law absolutely prohibits taking a person by force to compel the enemy to meet certain demands
B'Tselem human rights group
2006: Soldier seized in raid In the audio message, which was posted on a website supporting the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the man purported to be Cpl Shalit is heard speaking Hebrew.
"I've been in prison one year. My situation is deteriorating. I need an extended period in hospital," the voice says.
"I am sorry that the Israeli government has not shown more interest. It should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released."
It was not possible to authenticate the tape, although Cpl Shalit's father, Noam, told Israeli media it sounded genuine.
Earlier, a spokesman for the militants holding Cpl Shalit said the 20-year-old soldier was in good health.
Abu Mujahid, of the Popular Resistance Committees, said Cpl Shalit was being treated according to Islamic law.
'Legitimate target'
On Sunday, Mr Shalit criticised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for not doing more to secure his son's release.
Shalit's family have attended a rally marking one year of captivity
"It's the test of a leader," said Mr Shalit. "If you do not know what to do, give your portfolio to someone who can bring about results immediately."
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has accused Cpl Shalit's captors of committing a war crime.
"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."
Abu Mujahid brushed off B'Tselem's accusation, saying the soldier was a prisoner of war who had been captured inside a tank used to fight Palestinians.
"Any occupiers on the land are a legitimate target because they are soldiers," he said.
Israel has agreed to a prisoner swap in principle, but has disagreed about the number and category of Palestinian prisoners to be freed.
Mr Olmert told the cabinet on Sunday the government had made "supreme efforts to win freedom for Gilad Shalit".
But if you give kidnappers what they want you just end up with more kidnapings, and more distressed parents in the same position as Mr. Shalit.
This has always been, and will always be, between two types of people: Those that follow international law, and those that couldn't care less about it, and would just as well abolish it (unless they can apply it to the other side in a PR campaign).
Hamas/Hizbollah/Iran/Syria stoking the fires for late summer war.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
I hate to say this but I think poor Shalft is dead this might be imposter has IDF or Israeli govt confirm it YET
It must be some relief for his parents to at least hear his voice. I think there may be moves going on to secure his release.
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