Soldier's captors demand release of women prisoners

A statement from Palestinian groups purporting to hold an Israeli soldier have demanded the release of women and children under 18 held in Israeli prisons.

There was no way to immediately verify the authenticity of the statement.

The soldier, 19-year-old Cpl. Gilad Shalit, was captured yesterday in an attack by Hamas-linked militants on an Israeli military post near the Gaza Strip border.

The demand was the first issued by his captors.

The statement was signed by Hamas’ military wing, the Saladdin Brigade, and the Army of Islam. The last two groups are offshoots of the small Popular Resistance Committees, which has strong links to Hamas.

“The occupation will not get any information about its missing soldier until it commits to the following: First, the immediate release of all women in prison. Second, the immediate release of all children in prison younger than 18,” the fax read.

Abu Mujahid, a spokesman for the PRC, confirmed the statement was authentic.

Feverish diplomatic efforts have been underway to secure his release, and the groups themselves noted they were issuing the demands “in response to various mediation efforts and other intervention”.