Thu, February 19, 2009
INTRO: Israel will not lift its border blockade of Gaza until Hamas agrees to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
MOREINFO: Gilad Shlait was captured three years ago during a cross-border raid. Israel's decision to put Shalit at the top of their ceasefire terms has put the long-term ceasefire proposal by Egypt on hold. Gaza's Hamas rulers have rejected linking Shalit to the opening of their borders with Israel.
SCRIPT:
These demonstrators are demanding for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
He has been held in Gaza for three years after being captured in a cross-border raid.
His release is now tied in to the demands of the Israeli government for any deal with Hamas.
The security cabinet decided unanimously that they would not open the borders with Gaza until the soldier is released.
Israel's interior minister.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI INTERIOR MINISTER MEIR SHEETRIT SAYING:
"We would like to see Gilad back home. Three years have been past and we think that we cannot come to any arrangement with the Hamas or with the Egyptian without solving the problem of Gilad Shalit, we want him back home. And I think it is natural to expect after three years that the efforts will be done, by all the people who are involved in it, In order to bring Gilad Shalit back."
Outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert said he wanted Shalit to be freed before his term in office ends.
Hamas said they're not against releasing the soldier. But they don't want it to be part of the ceasefire terms, they want the ongoing blockade to end.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMAS SPOKESMAN FAWZI BARHOUM, SAYING:
"If the Zionist occupier wanted a ceasefire with a breaking of the siege, the opening of the crossings, and stopping of the aggression, then we are ready for that. If they wanted something other than that, then we are open to all possibilities. We don't oppose releasing Gilad Shalit, but only with the necessity of the responsiveness of the Zionist occupation to comply with our conditions and demands to release our prisoners and the prisoners of the Palestinian people.."
Israel's demands will delay the terms of the ceasefire proposals.
They've been reluctant to enter into a ceasefire deal where the border crossings would be open arguing Hamas' power would increase even further.
The Israeli government is drawing up a list of 1400 prisoners to release in exchange for Shalit.
But the list may not match Hamas's.
Basmah Fahim, Reuters.
