Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts     

    GAZA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement on Tuesday refused to comment on reports that a letter from captive Israeli soldier was handed out to Hamas' leadership in order to be sent for his family.

    "We can't confirm or deny these reports," said Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.

    The reports say that Moussa Abu Marzouq, a Damascus-based senior official who paid an underground visit to Gaza last week, has received a letter written by Gilad Shalit, the soldier that Hamas holds hostage since 2006.

    "There is no new progress in the issue of the Israeli soldier so far," Abu Obaida added.

    The reports say that Abu Marzouq will hand the letter to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Hamas demands Israel to release more than 1,000 Palestinians inexchange for Shalit and stresses that any information about the captive soldier should have its price.