Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Israeli PM Says Talks with Hamas for Captured Soldier Back On

   VOA News 17 October 2010
   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Photo: AP

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

   Israelâs prime minister says efforts to free an Israel soldier held by
   Hamas have resumed.
   Benjamin  Netanyahu  told  Israeli  media  Sunday  the German mediator
   trying  to  broker  the release of 24-year-old Gilad Shalit is back in
   the region and working with both sides.
   Hamas  militants  seized Shalit near the Gaza border in June 2006. The
   militant  group  has  demanded  the release of about 1,000 Palestinian
   prisoners in exchange for the soldier.
   Mr.  Netanyahuâs  comments  came  hours  after  an  Israeli  airstrike
   targeted  militants  in  the  Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, killing two
   Palestinians.
   Israeli military officials said the militants were preparing to launch
   missiles  into  Israel.  Palestinian  paramedics  said a third man was
   wounded.
   Sundayâs developments follow Israelâs announcement that it postponed a
   summit with Palestinian leaders in Paris.
   Israel  said  Saturday  it  was  postponing a meeting with Palestinian
   President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
   A  statement  from  the  office  of  Israeli  Prime  Minister Benjamin
   Netanyahu  promised  to  reschedule  the talks, originally set to take
   place in France by the end of the month.
   The  meeting  was designed to prepare the sides for a larger summit of
   European and Middle Eastern leaders in late November.
   The  delay  is  the latest setback for direct talks between Israel and
   the Palestinians.
   The United States has been trying to kick-start the peace process, but
   Palestinian  officials quit direct talks earlier this month because of
   Israelâs   refusal   to  halt  settlement  construction  in  territory
   Palestinians want for a future state, including East Jerusalem.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

.