Militants say they won't kill abducted soldier

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today ignored a deadline to free Palestinian prisoners and instead ordered the army to target ”terrorists” and their backers, in an apparent threat against Syria.

The militants holding 19-year-old Israeli Cpl Gilad Shalit said they will not harm him – if he is still alive – despite Israel’s rejection of their ultimatum, but warned that they would provide no information about him, leaving his condition unclear.