A Hamas officials released a statement on Wednesday that �Gilad Shalit will not see the light of day� until such time that Israel understands it must release prisoners in exchange for the hostage soldier.

According to media reports from a number of sources, the German mediator seeking to bridge the sides and reach a deal for a prisoner release that will permit Shalit to return home. This past Pesach was Shalit�s fourth in Hamas custody, and to date, he has not been permitted any visitation, including representatives of the International Red Cross.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)