L’Aquila, Italy, 10 July-(ANA)-The Group of Eight leading industrialized nations has called for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit, after Egyptian-brokered talks to secure the kidnapped Israeli soldier's release had come to a standstill.
The G8, meeting in Italy, also called for the immediate opening of the Gaza Strip's border crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, goods and people into the Hamas-ruled territory. The nations added that this move must not compromise Israel's safety.
The call came as an Egyptian official charged with mediating between Israel and the Palestinians for Shalit's release visited Ramallah on Thursday for talks with Palestinian Authority leaders.
General Mohammed Ibrahim serves as deputy to Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, and has been working alongside him on attempts to bring rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah into reconciliatory talks. (ANA)
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