Palestinians say they won't kill soldier (AP) Updated: 2006-07-04 19:48
Palestinian militants holding an Israeli soldier angrily said Tuesday they
would not release any information about the serviceman's condition after Israel
ignored a deadline to begin releasing Palestinian prisoners.
But as diplomatic efforts continued, the militants said they would not kill
the soldier.
Israeli soldiers, one holds a shell as the
other runs to reaload a mobile artillery pice at a position near Kibbutz
Nahal Oz, just outside the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 4, 2006.
Palestinian militants holding an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip angrily
said Tuesday they would not release any information about the serviceman's
condition after Israel ignored a deadline to begin releasing Palestinian
prisoners. But as diplomatic efforts continued, the militants said they
would not kill the soldier. [AP]
|
The militants implied Monday that they would kill Cpl. Gilad Shalit if their
demands weren't met. Israel, however, rejected the ultimatum and insisted it
would not negotiate with the militants.
After a 6 a.m. (11 p.m. EDT) deadline passed, a spokesman for the shadowy
Army of Islam said the groups holding Shalit "have decided to freeze all
contacts and close the files of this soldier."
"We will not give any information that will give the occupation good news or
reassurance," said the spokesman, Abu Muthana. But, he added, "We will not kill
the soldier, if he is still alive."
The previously unknown Army of Islam was among three groups that took part in
the June 25 cross-border raid that killed two Israeli soldiers and abducted
Shalit, 19. Two other groups, the military wing of the ruling Hamas party and
the Hamas-linked Popular Resistance Committees, also claimed responsibility.
Since the abduction, the militants have called on Israel to release hundreds
of prisoners in exchange for information about Shalit. The abductors have given
no concrete information about the soldier's condition, though Israeli officials
believe he is alive.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected any negotiations with the
militants, and last week launched a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip aimed at
pressuring the Hamas-led Palestinian government to secure the soldier's release.
Cabinet minister Roni Bar-On, who is close to Olmert, said there was no
change in the Israeli position after Tuesday's deadline passed and threatened
harsh action if the soldier is harmed.
|