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Israel warns of 'disinformation' on kidnapped soldier

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-20 19:49

JERUSALEM: Following various reports of progress in efforts to secure the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman warned Friday against believing "disinformation."

"We're reading a lot of things in the media, some are true, but others are disinformation," Brigadier General Avi Benayahu was quoted by local daily The Jerusalem Post as saying.

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Fox News reported Thursday evening that Israel had agreed to release 380 out of the 450 Palestinian prisoners requested by Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement in exchange for Shalit's release, and that negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the issue through German mediation were picking up.

Palestinian daily Al-Manar reported Thursday that Israel had agreed to a prisoners swap deal in principle, according to local daily Ha'aretz.

Benayahu also apparently ruled out a military option for the release of Shalit, who was kidnapped three years ago by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip.

"When there is a military option, it is carried out - if it isn't carried out, that means that it apparently isn't feasible or not very practical," he said.

"At the moment, efforts are being made on the negotiation channel," said the spokesman, adding that he believes the Israeli government is sparing no efforts over the issue.

On October 2, Israeli TV broadcast a video tape of Shalit, which was obtained by Israel earlier the day as part of the prisoners swap deal with Hamas.

Israel released 20 Palestinian women from its prison in exchange for the video tape, which was expected to prove that Shalit is still alive.

Brokered by German and Egyptian mediators, this is viewed as great progress for the talks between Israel and Hamas on freeing the captive Israeli soldier.

The Gaza-ruling Hamas has asked Israel to release more than 1, 000 Palestinians, including some specifically identified, from its prisons in exchange for the release of Shalit.