Militants make Israel new offer
05/07/2006 22:19  - (SA)  

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Gaza - Palestinian militants are ready to release a captive Israeli soldier if Israel sets a timetable for freeing some prisoners, a Palestinian source close to negotiations with Egyptian mediators said on Wednesday.

Such a proposal would indicate an apparent softening of the stand of the militants holding corporal Gilad Shalit, captured during a cross border raid on June 25.

But the source said Israel had told the Egyptians it still rejected such a proposal and has said only that it might free some prisoners by the end of the year without any firm promises.

There was no immediate comment from either the militants or Israel.

Tanks on the move

Meanwhile, AP reports that Israeli tanks and armoured personnel carriers advanced toward one of the country's former settlements in northern Gaza on Wednesday night.

It quoted Palestinian officials and witnesses.

Israel's cabinet had decided earlier in the day to send the military, which had been carrying out small operations in northern Gaza, deeper into the territory to prevent rocket attacks on southern Israel.

It was unclear if the movement by Israeli forces toward the abandoned settlement of Nissanit was part of that new offensive. - Reuters / AP

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