Gilad Shalit didn't go on hunger strike in Hamas captivity, father says

[Jefferson23]

Noam Shalit says reason for son's deteriorated physical state was conditions of captivity, adding that sporting events were a source of positive ties with Hamas guards.

By Gili Izikovich

Gilad Shalit did not go on hunger strike while in Hamas captivity, Shalit's father Noam said in a media conference on Monday, adding a few more details concerning his son's 5-year imprisonment in the Gaza Strip.

Shalit was released in October in exchange for 477 Palestinian militants. Another 550 Palestinians jailed in Israel are to be released later this month, under the deal mediated by Egypt.

On Sunday, Israeli media reports claimed that Shalit had ceased eating while a Hamas prisoner in order to pressure the militant group into negotiating his release. The abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier refused to eat, the report claimed, and consequently forced Hamas to take steps toward his release, out of fear for his life.

However speaking at the Eilat Journalism Conference on Sunday, Noam Shalit denied these reports, affirming, nonetheless, that his son's health was failing.

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/gilad-shalit-didn-t-go-on-hunger-strike-in-hamas-captivity-father-says-1.399653