Human Rights Watch issued a report today that calls for the immediate release of the three Israeli soldiers taken prisoner last summer. Corporal Gilad Shalit was taken near the Gaza border last year by Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Army of Islam, while Sergeant Eldad Regev and Sergeant Ehud Goldwasser were captured at the Lebanese border by Hizbullah forces. Human Rights Watch stressed the illegality of taking hostages in the laws of war, a grievance that probably won't garner much respect by terrorist organizations.

Much focus has been on Gilad Shalit as of late, as an audiotape was released on the anniversary of his capture (June 25) in which he requested the Israeli government adhere to his captors' demands. Additionally, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya has specifically called for a deal to be made for Shalit's release. But then so have Galit's captors.

“If they think the soldier will be presented on a golden dish, they are wrong. We have proved our ability to keep the soldier for one year, and we can continue for years. They have to realize that Shalit will not be released without a glorious deal which comprises the largest number of Palestinian prisoners being released, especially the long-term prisoners," Abu Mujahid, spokesperson for the Popular Resistance Committees, stated.

There is precedent for unequal prisoner exchanges from Israel. Most notably, perhaps, was in 2004, when hundreds of Lebanese fighters were exchanged for one Israeli and three bodies of soldiers, all missing since 2000.

Human Rights Watch also called for the cessation of illegal Israeli practices, specifically imprisoning Hamas leaders to use as their own bargaining chips for the captured soldiers. "Associated Press reported that, when asked if the Hamas officials would be freed if Shalit were released, Major General Yair Naveh, the head of Israel Defense Forces' central command, responded: 'I think so. The decision to arrest them came from the political level ... and I think the political level's perspective could change.' However, many other Israeli officials have denied that the Hamas members were arrested to gain Shalit's release."