Hamas vows to capture more Israeli soldiers

October 27, 2009

The military wing of Islamic Hamas movement on Tuesday said it will not stop attempts to capture Israeli soldiers and exchange them for Palestinian prisoners.

"We will continue our efforts to capture soldiers until freeing the last Palestinian prisoner in the prisons of the (Israeli) occupation," said Abu Obaida, spokesman for Izz el-Deen al-Qassam brigades of Hamas.

In statements published by al-Qassam's website, Abu Obaida referred to Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier whom Hamas seized in 2006, saying that Shalit "will not be the last soldier we take into custody."

Shalit, who was captured in a cross-border raid near Gaza, has been held in a secret place since then and Hamas wants to release him only in exchange for at least 1,000 Arab and Palestinian prisoners.

Abu Obaida said that Shalit's case was the last in series of attempts to seize Israeli soldiers.

In September, Israel freed 20 Palestinian women after Hamas released the first evidence on Shalit's condition, a video tape showing the soldier speaking and walking few steps.

Egypt and Germany lead indirect talks between Hams and Israel in a bid to reach a prisoner swap.