THE father of an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for nearly three years blames outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for failing to free his son.

The parents of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas-allied militants have petitioned Israel’s supreme court to block a truce deal with the militant group as long as their son remains in captivity.

HAMAS militants posted an audio message yesterday from an Israeli soldier captured a year ago at an army base near the Gaza Strip, the first sign of life from the young serviceman since he was seized.

Hamas militants today released a recorded message from captured Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the first sign of life from the young serviceman since he was abducted exactly one year ago.

Hamas militants today released a recorded message from captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit, the first sign of life from the young serviceman since he was abducted exactly one year ago.

The father of an Israeli soldier snatched by Lebanese guerrillas today appealed to the captors to make their demands known so he can at least be assured his son is alive.

A Palestinian militant leader today said a captured Israeli soldier was being held in a “secure place,” and he claimed that his group also seized a Jewish settler in the West Bank.