Israeli Soldier's Captors Say He's in ‘Good Health'

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — After six months of silence, Palestinian Arab militants holding a captured Israeli soldier released the first details of the serviceman's condition yesterday, saying he is in "good health" and being treated according to "Islamic standards."

However, the militants said they are prepared to keep the soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, until Israel meets their demand for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian Arab prisoners.

The impasse has held up peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.

A spokesman for the Palestinian Resistance Committees, Abu Mujahid, made the first official announcement about the soldier's condition. "Gilad Shalit is in good health and is being treated according to Islamic standards of dealing with prisoners of war," he said. "We are ready to keep him for years, as long as our demands are not met."

The militants did not furnish proof to back their statement that the soldier is in good health. Israeli officials were not available for comment.