The leader of Hamas has said that Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was seized in Israel by Palestinian militants in 2006, is alive.

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Three die as Gaza factions clash ... Khaled Meshaal also said that Corporal Shalit was being well treated.

Last year, Hamas sent Israel a list of 450 Palestinian prisoners it wanted released in exchange for Cpl Shalit.

Israel replied that many of the inmates had "blood on their hands" and could not be freed.

"Galid is still alive and we are treating him a in good way while the Israelis treat our prisoners badly and everyone knows that," Mr Meshaal said.

The leader of radical Palestinian organisation was speaking from an undisclosed location in Syria's capital, Damascus.

Cpl Shalit was seized in Israel by Palestinian militants in June 2006.

Two other Israeli soldiers died in the raid carried out by militants from Hamas and other Palestinian groups from Gaza.

(BBC)

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