JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hamas published operational details about its abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
As part of events marking five years since its gunmen tunneled across the Gaza Strip border to seize Shalit, the Hamas website Al-Qassamiyoun this week featured an expose on the operation it dubbed “Shattered Illusions.”
The site confirmed what already has been reported in Israel about the June 25, 2006 raid, during which three of Shalit’s comrades where killed while he was spirited, wounded, back to Gaza.
Israeli officials say they have no knowledge of Shalit’s whereabouts, a matter on which the Hamas expose shed no light.
“He was taken to a place that had been prepared in advance and secured as a prison for the captive,” it said.
Israel and Hamas have long been in talks, via Egyptian, German and Turkish mediators, on a prisoner swap under which Shalit would be recovered. Israel has balked at Hamas’ condition that it release hundreds of jailed Palestinian terrorists.
“The fighters remain committed to their demand to seal an honorable deal that would allow our brave prisoners to win their long-awaited freedom,” Al-Qassamiyoun said.
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