Hamas 'must prove' Shalit alive

23 June 2011 Last updated at 11:00 GMT Sgt Shalit has been held by Palestinian militants for the past five years The Red Cross has called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to provide proof that captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is still alive.

The aid agency made the unusual public appeal as Israel prepares to mark five years since his capture on Saturday.

The ICRC said there had been "no sign of life" from the 24-year-old in almost two years.

Hamas wants hundreds of Palestinian detainees freed from Israeli jails in exchange for the soldier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the demand unless some of the worst offenders - including 450 with Israeli "blood on their hands" - are exiled. Hamas has rejected this condition.

Continue reading the main story 1 Oct 2009: Video received in exchange for prisoner releaseDec 2008-Jan 2009: Truce breaks down. Israel begins 22-day operation in Gaza18 June 2008: Hamas-Israel truce agreed10 June 2008: Letter received "in Shalit's writing"25 June 2007: Audio message received28 June 2006: Israeli troops enter Gaza after launching air strikes26 June 2006: Militants demand prisoner release deal25 June 2006: Shalit seized in cross-border attackSupport for a prisoner exchange deal appears to be growing among the Israeli public. A poll earlier this week showed that 63% favoured a deal, while only 19% were opposed.

Gilad Shalit was 19 when he was captured on 25 June 2006 by three armed Gaza groups, including Hamas.

He has been held ever since at a secret location in Gaza and has not been permitted visits by the Red Cross.

The last sign of life was in October 2009, when Hamas released a video of him calling on Mr Netanyahu to do everything to free him.

"The total absence of information concerning Mr Shalit is completely unacceptable," ICRC director-general Yves Daccord said in a statement.

"The Shalit family have the right under international humanitarian law to be in contact with their son," he added.

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Duo are 'burnt alive' by Taliban

27 May 2011 Last updated at 17:16 GMT By Bilal Sarwary BBC News, Kabul A senior Afghan general has ordered the capture of a Taliban deputy governor alleged to have authorised the burning alive of two people.

General Daud Daud told the BBC that the incident happened last Friday in the northern province of Sar-e Pol.

He said that the gruesome killings were ordered by Maulvi Nasrullah, a deputy governor of the Taliban in neighbouring Balkh province.

Afghanistan's human rights commission condemned the incident.

In a statement, it said that all those responsible must be arrested for what it called "the gravest human rights violation".

The Taliban say that they are unaware of the incident.

Officials say that one of those killed was a driver of a local Taliban commander.

They say that the burning happened when the Taliban commander, Mastu Khan, abducted an influential tribal elder from Gosfandi district.

Mr Khan's bodyguard, known only as Daoud, opposed the abduction and was beaten by Mr Khan for not obeying orders.

Daoud allegedly killed Mr Khan in retaliation for his beating and escaped. He is now receiving hospital treatment in Kabul.

It was a rare case of a Taliban subordinate turning against a superior.

Officials say that on the morning after the escape, the kidnapped trader and the driver were beaten by the Taliban who suspected them of having a role in Mastu Khan's killing.

Maulvi Nasrullah is alleged to have ordered that the pair be doused with fuel and burnt alive.

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