Hamas hints it will raise stakes for captured Israeli soldier

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-01-2008 08:49

Israel and Hamas are in the midst of prisoner-swap. Gaza's ruling Hamas group has hinted that it will raise the stakes for the release of a captured Israeli soldier in exchange for the release of Lebanese prisoners captured by Israel.

People attend a rally marking two years since Israeli  soldier Gilad Shalit was captured by Palestinian militants  on the Israel-Gaza border, in Jerusalem June 24, 2008.  Egypt assured Israel on Tuesday the Gaza Strip's only  border crossing to the outside world would remain closed  until a deal was reached with Hamas to free Shalit, Israeli  officials said. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM)

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, said his group will release Sergeant Gilad Schalit, an Israeli serviceman captured two years ago in a cross-border raid. He says, this is in response to Israeli's Cabinet's decision to trade prisoners of war with Hamas and Hezbollah militants.

It comes after almost two years of German-brokered negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has welcomed the decision.

Gaza strongman Mahmoud Zahar says Hamas will take advantage of this decision to secure the release of people like Samir Kantar, a Lebanese man who was sentenced by an Israeli court to over 540 years in prison for his role in a 1979 attack.