Palestinian militants give Israel ultimatum

Gaza, Jul 3: Palestinian militant groups that abducted an Israeli soldier gave Israel until 0300 GMT tomorrow to meet their demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners, threatening unspecified consequences if it refuses.

''Military Communique 3'' issued today by Hamas's armed wing and two other factions said: ''If the enemy does not agree to our humanitarian demands ... we will regard this case as closed.'' In previous statements, the groups demanded that Israel, as a first stage, release Palestinian women and youths in its prisons in exchange for information about Corporal Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by gunmen in a cross-border raid on June 25.

The groups, Hamas's Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees and the previously unknown Islamic Army, have also called on Israel to free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

''We give the Zionist enemy until 6 a m, tomorrow, the fourth of July,'' the latest communique said.

Unless their demands were met, the factions said, ''the enemy will bear full responsibility for future consequences''.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he would not bend to ''extortionist'' demands to release prisoners.

REUTERS

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