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Free Sgt Shalit Now – Thousands March for 12 days to Jerusalem

Melanie Nathan 7-8-10

Jerusalem – Thousands of Israelis have rallied in Jerusalem following a 12-day march aimed at securing the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.  They are calling on the government to agree a prisoner swap with the Palestinian militant movement Hamas.

Sgt Shalit, now 23, has been held in Gaza since June 2006, when he was captured by Palestinian militants.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, but differences remain.

Traffic was brought to a near standstill as an estimated 15,000 marchers made their way along the main road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.