CRI听力：Israeli Not to Open Gaza Border before Kidnapped Soldier Freed

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that his country would not open the border crossings with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip until a kidnapped Israeli soldier is released.

"Let it be clear, we will not allow the opening of the crossings to Gaza and outside of Gaza, to the extent that it will help them bring back life into a complete normal pace, certainly not before Gilad Schalit is back home."

Schalit is an Israeli tank crewman held by Hamas since June 2006.

Olmert's remark was a sudden and significant shift in the Israeli position as a long-term ceasefire with Hamas appeared within reach.(www.hXen.com)

Egypt is trying to mediate a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, following Israel's punishing offensive in Gaza.

Egyptian officials and Hamas negotiators have said an agreement appears near.

Hamas insists that border crossings must be opened to allow goods into Gaza as part of the deal.

Gaza has been suffering from a blockade since June 2007 causing severe economic strain to its impoverished residents.