Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is willing to free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners if the Palestinian militant group Hamas releases Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier its militants captured in 2006.
Netanyahu made the pledge in televised remarks to the nation. However, he said Israel could not "pay any price," adding that past experience showed many Palestinians released had returned to carry out attacks on Israelis.
Netanyahu's remarks came as Shalit's family intensified its efforts to pressure the government to negotiate their son's release.
compiled from agency reports
Netanyahu made the pledge in televised remarks to the nation. However, he said Israel could not "pay any price," adding that past experience showed many Palestinians released had returned to carry out attacks on Israelis.
Netanyahu's remarks came as Shalit's family intensified its efforts to pressure the government to negotiate their son's release.
compiled from agency reports
