Israel demands soldier return
Israel demands soldier return
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Sunday, 25, Jun 2006 08:14
The Israeli army has given militant group Hamas two days to return a soldier taken hostage during a raid upon an outpost on the Gaza border earlier today.
Corporal Gilad Shalit was part of the tank crews sent into Gaza for the first time since Israel withdrew last year.
Although Hamas has claimed responsibility for this morning's attack, it has so far refused to confirm whether they are holding the 19-year-old captive.
Israel has said it will take the necessary action to rescue the soldier if the two-day deadline is not met.
Two soldiers died during the attack, while two Palestinian gunmen were also killed when the army returned fire.
Four Israeli army personnel were also injured in this morning's raid, in what is the worst clash between militants and the army since Israel completely withdrew last September after almost 40 years of occupation.
Gaza's Popular Resistance Committee has also claimed responsibility for the attack, which saw insurgents tunnel under the border at Kerem Shalom and attack with guns and grenades.
Despite being classified as a terrorist organisation by the west and refusing to recognise Israel, Hamas was elected to govern the Palestinian party earlier this year.
It ended an informal ceasefire at the beginning of June when eight civilians were killed on a beach in north Gaza by a missile, although the Israeli army has since claimed it was not one of its own rockets.
Israel reports that its targeted missile strikes into Gaza have killed 20 militants in the past two weeks, while Palestinians claim that 14 of the dead were civilians.
While the reason for today's attack was in response to the killing of militant leader Jamal Abu Samhadana, yesterday Israeli special operatives abducted two Palestinian men for the first time since its withdrawal.