Palestinian cabinet urges militants to spare soldier

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

GAZA CITY (AFP) — The Hamas-led Palestinian cabinet has called for militants holding an Israeli soldier captive in the Gaza Strip to spare his life.

"The government issues an appeal to the resistance groups... for the soldier to be kept alive and well-treated," Information Minister Yussef Rizqa told AFP after the militants issued an ultimatum to Israel.

"It is in the interest of the Palestinian people to spare the life of the soldier," the Hamas minister said, expressing hope that a political solution to the crisis could still be reached.

Three militant groups -- including the armed wing of Rizqa's Hamas movement -- set an 0300 GMT Tuesday deadline for the Israeli government to accept their conditions.

They have demanded Israel release Palestinian,...