A letter written by abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was given to his family by Gaza militants in a potential breakthrough after nearly three months in captivity, a source said today.
The letter written in the soldier's handwriting is the first sign of life since militants from the governing Hamas group and two other factions seized him in a cross-border raid on June 25th, prompting an Israeli offensive.
"The abducted soldier wrote the letter by his own handwriting to his parents telling them he is fine and well," the source said. The letter was handed to Egyptian mediators in Gaza who then handed it over to Shalit's family," the source added .
The letter appears to have been written earlier this week, the source said.
The release of Mr Shalit could clear the way for improved relations with Israel and the international community. Mr Shalit's abductors had vowed not to release any information about his fate until Israel agreed to free Palestinian prisoners.
Asked what the factions received in exchange for the letter, the official declined to comment, but said: "Who said it was not for a price? It was for a price."
The Palestinians hope a new unity government led by Hamas will ease an aid embargo that has increased poverty.
The Popular Resistance Committees and the Army of Islam joined Hamas's armed wing in carrying out the cross-border raid in which Mr Shalit was captured. After his capture, Israel launched a major military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 210 Palestinians, about half of them civilians.