Friday, October 02, 2009

Shalit in Video is Clean Shaven, Holding a Recent Newspaper


Gil Ronen
A7 News

On Friday, authorities completed the exchange deal in which a video proving that kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is still alive was swapped for the freedom of 20 female Palestinian Authority terrorist prisoners who were jailed in Israel. Vehicles from the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) took the female prisoners to freedom in Judea, Samaria and Gaza once the Shalit video was handed over by Hamas terrorists. Israeli negotiator Haggai Hadas watched the video after receiving it from Hamas. Copies of the video have been taken to the Shalit family and to the Prime Minister. According to Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service, Shalit appears to be healthy and is talking clearly. He is clean shaven, his hair is well-groomed, and the video is longer than two minutes -- more than the minimum of one minute that Israel demanded. Shalit is seen holding a recent newspaper, proving that the video was taken recently.

Hamas Television was broadcasting victory songs Friday morning as a preliminary phase of a deal for the release of Shalit took place.

The deal involves the release of 20 female terrorist prisoners from Israeli jails, in return for a one minute video of Shalit talking.

Hamas TV also exhorted the public in Gaza to participate in celebrations of the prisoners' release after the Friday prayers.

At about 9:30 am, vehicles belonging to the Nachshon prison security unit began transporting the female prisoners from the Hadarim jail north of Tel Aviv to Ofer prison near Jerusalem and Shikma prison in Ashkelon. At the same time, Red Cross vehicles arrived at the jails. After the security establishment gave the go-ahead, the one terrorist being released to Gaza were handed over to the Red Cross at the Erez crossing, and the 18 others who are being released to Judea and Samaria were handed over to the Red Cross at the Bitunia checkpoint.

The Head of UDF's Personnel Branch by helicopter flew to the Shalit family's home in Mitzpeh Hila in the Galilee, where he was to present them with a copy of the tape.

Israeli media is clamoring for the right to broadcast the tape, but a diplomatic source told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service that that this question will only be decided after the security experts, the Prime Minister and the family have viewed the tape.

He added that the tendency is not to show the tape.

A Chinese news agency reported that the tape shows Shalit in civilian attire, with a Hamas flag behind him. He reportedly appears to be in good physical condition and exhibits no signs of bodily harm. He was reportedly wounded in the 2006 raid in which he was abducted.

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