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Soldier's life may not be in danger

Atul Aneja

Israel bombs Gaza University

DUBAI: The standoff between Israel and the Palestinians over the capture of an Israeli soldier is continuing to prolong, with little signs of a breakthrough in the near future.

The Tuesday morning deadline that the captors of the soldier had set for the release of Palestinian political prisoners by Israel passed without any word from the captors.

Israeli official spokesperson Avi Pazner told French television that Corporal Gilad Shalit, the 19-year old Israeli soldier, for whose captivity three Palestinian groups had taken responsibility, was still alive.

"We know that until now Gilad Shalit is alive, we know that he is injured, that he was seen by a Palestinian doctor a few days ago," he said.

Signalling that Crpl. Shalit had not been harmed, a spokesperson for the Islamic Army, a previously unheard of group which has claimed joint responsibility for the capture, said that killing prisoners was against the principles of Islam.

However, except killing, "all options" were now open. "The file is closed — there will be no more negotiations, no more information will be released, there will be no mediation," he said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas also called upon the soldier's captors to protect him.

"The Government is exerting efforts with Palestinian, Arab and regional parties to end this case in the appropriate manner," he said. The Palestinian factions have been demanding that apart from women and children, thousands of other prisoners in Israeli jails should be released in return for information on Crpl. Shalit's status. Israel has rejected these demands, while stating that it would not negotiate with the captors.

Setback to mediation

Egypt's efforts to broker a deal received a jolt on Tuesday, with the three factions deciding to disassociate themselves from Cairo's initiative. "The militant groups withdrew their representative from the talks with the Egyptian mediators," Osama al-Muzaini of the Hamas said.

Israel has continued to hold back a full-scale military offensive in Gaza, restricting most of its current operations to air strikes. In the latest attack, Israeli aircraft bombed Gaza City University, which is believed to be a Hamas stronghold.

The Swiss Government has criticised Israel for violating international humanitarian law by subjecting the Palestinian people to collective punishment. It slammed Israel for the air attack on Gaza's only power plant, a strike on the Palestinian Prime Minister's office as well as the arrest of several democratically elected Hamas leaders.

Meanwhile, Israel Radio quoted the London-based Arab daily Al Hayat as saying that Israel was negotiating a deal with the Gaza militants to secure Crpl. Shalit's return.

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