French lawyers to help with Schalit

Two attorneys claim they are in contact with Hamas officials, letter from captive given to family.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
schalit 224 (photo credit: Channel 10 [file])
schalit 224
(photo credit: Channel 10 [file])
Two French lawyers, Emmanuel Altit and Stephane Zerbib, are conducting talks with Hamas officials linked to the kidnappers of IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit and are due to meet them in Gaza on Saturday, the two lawyers said Tuesday during a press conference in France. Altit also confirmed that several weeks ago, a letter from Schalit was delivered to his family. "First and foremost, there is a letter that was sent several weeks ago from Gilad Schalit to members of his family. Of course, he wrote it under his captors' supervision," said Altit. "In addition," continued the lawyer, "we have information given to us by Hamas representatives that he is in reasonable mental and physical condition - that he is alive, which is of utmost importance." Altit said that he and Zerbib were conducting "basic dialogue with several responsible individuals," adding that the talks had prompted an invitation for the two to visit Gaza and meet the officials they had been speaking to. Ravi and Eltit are representing Schalit, who holds dual French-Israeli citizenship and the Schalit family has been in constant contact with numerous French officials who are trying to secure his release. Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, denied any such talks had been taking place and said the lawyers' claims were merely propaganda.