Israel’s captive soldier turns 20 as more die

Palestinian death toll increases to 196 in conflict that started as rescue mission

ISRAEL killed four Palestinians in Gaza as the army kept up a two-month offensive in the coastal strip to recover a seized soldier who passed his 20th birthday in captivity yesterday.

The four were killed in Gaza City’s eastern Shejaya neighbourhood and included two militants from the ruling Islamist Hamas movement and two members of President Mahmud Abbas’s presidential guard.

Israel said two were killed in an exchange of fire with troops and two by an air strike. Palestinian security officials said the four were killed by an Israeli drone.

Medics discovered the body of another Palestinian, Fathi Abu al-Qumbarz, 50, at his home in Shejaya. He had been hit by automatic gunfire while, officials said, he was inside his home during Israeli operations in the area on Saturday.

At least 192 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier have been killed in the offensive in the Gaza Strip, which entered its third month yesterday.

Israel launched the massive operation to stop rocket attacks and recover the conscript captured by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid that left two other soldiers dead.

The armed wing of Hamas was among three groups that claimed responsibility for the raid and has demanded that Israel free Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit.

Ghazi Hamad, spokesperson for the Hamas-led government, said Shalit was safe and sound on his birthday. He told Israeli public radio he “confirmed this to his father with whom I am in contact”. He added that “efforts are continuing with a view to an exchange” of prisoners with Israel for the soldier.

Shalit’s family and friends were due to mark his birthday at the spot where he was captured. “We are not going to celebrate and are doing everything possible to work toward his liberation,” said his father, Noam.

Although Israel has insisted on the unconditional release of Shalit, media reports say negotiations over a prisoner swap are under way.

Egypt’s state-owned Al-Ahram daily reported on Sunday that Germany was helping to broker a prisoner swap for two other Israeli soldiers held by Lebanese militants of Hezbollah that could pave the way for Shalit’s release.

“The prisoner swap between Hezbollah and Israel is to take place within two or three weeks maximum, thanks to a German mediation which is currently arranging the details of the exchange,” Al-Ahram said, citing high-ranking officials.

“Once a Hezbollah-Israel deal is reached, the Shalit problem could be solved” even before the other two soldiers are freed, Al-Ahram added.

Germany brokered a January 2004 deal which saw Israel exchange some 429 Arab prisoners for the release of an Israeli businessman captured by Hezbollah and the remains of three soldiers.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was in Berlin yesterday.

Tearful family and friends of the seized Israeli soldier held an emotional ceremony to mark his 20th birthday and to call for his release. In the intense midday heat, Shalit’s mother and younger sister sobbed as his father, his voice cracking with emotion, and a female friend addressed the gathering of around 50 people.

“Gilad is still in prison. We are waiting eagerly – he’s coming back,” Noam Shalit said after the event under a military tent not far from the spot where his son was captured in the cross-border raid on June 25.

After the ceremony, the soldier’s loved ones released multi-coloured balloons into the air, carrying messages such as “Gilad, come back safe”. — Sapa-AFP