The Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian militants last June is still alive, the visiting Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said Wednesday.
Aboul Gheit said Egypt is working to win the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was captured last June by Gaza militants who tunneled into Israel and fled back to Gaza. Shalit has not been seen or heard from since then, though Israeli officials have said they believe he is alive.
Egypt is acting as a mediator between Israel and Hamas.
Aboul Gheit said he could not guarantee Shalit's release.
"This is a very sensitive issue and we have to treat it with very serious sensitivity," he said at a news conference in Jerusalem. "I hope and believe that he will be released ... but I emphasize that we are working hard for his release and we are sure that he is still alive."
Aboul Gheit spoke in Arabic and his comments were translated into Hebrew. The news conference was held after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
The militants holding Shalit have demanded a large-scale prisoner release by Israel.
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said this week he would consider releasing some of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel before Shalit is freed, softening his long-standing opposition to such a gesture.
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