Corporal Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Islamic Hamas Militants over a year ago and is one of three IDF Soldiers being held by Hamas.
On the 25 June, B'Tselem (Israeli Information Center for Human Rights) indicated, "...the continued holding of Gilad Shalit by Hamas as a hostage, is a violation of International Humanitarian Law, which absolutely prohibits kidnapping and holding hostages by force to compel the enemy to certain demands and thus considered a War Crime."
One year after Gilad Shalit's abduction, the military wing of Hamas, "Izz-ad-Din Al-Qassam" released an audio tape where Gilad Shalit is heard sending a message to his family and friends, the Israeli Government and Army, appealing for a prisoner-swap deal to be reached to secure his release. Gilad Shalit states that his physical health is deteriorating and that he requires hospitalization.
Hamas Militants are demanding that 1,300 prisoners be freed to secure the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
