Shalit doubts son will be released soon

JERUSALEM, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The father of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas for three years says a new video of his son hasn't boosted his hopes he will be released soon.

Noam Shalit told reporters Saturday he didn't see anything indicating Gilad Shalit would be home any time soon despite the release of images showing the captive soldier looking fairly healthy.

"There is no breakthrough and we are not on the verge of a deal," Shalit said, adding, "The tape is not the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is an important, vital step."

Gilad Shalit was captured in 2006 in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants and has been the subject of a frustrating effort by Israel to win his release.

Haaretz said Saturday the tape was given to Israel in exchange for the release of 20 Palestinian women from Israeli prisons. The deal prompted reports in Arab newspapers that Shalit himself would soon be exchanged for as many as 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.