Russia asks Hamas to release Israeli soldier

Russia today asked the militant group Hamas to immediately release a captive Israeli soldier, news agencies reported.

“What is most important right now is that the Israeli serviceman be freed immediately,” foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

“I repeat, this answers the highest national interests of the Palestinian people.”

Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit was captured during a raid on a military outpost near the Gaza border early on Sunday, sparking the latest crisis between Israel and the Palestinians.

Seven Cabinet ministers and 20 MPs from Hamas were then detained by Israeli authorities in a clear attempt to use them as bargaining chips to win the release of the soldier.

Israel’s military refused to comment on the round-ups in Gaza and the West Bank, but Israel’s Army Radio said the Hamas leaders might be used in a trade for the captured soldier.