The three Palestinian militant groups holding Gilad Shalit are demanding the release of 12 senior Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the kidnapped Israeli soldier, according to the London-based Arabic daily Al-Hayat on Tuesday.

The list of prisoners includes Fatah leader Marwan Bargouti and Ahmad Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who was implicated in the assassination of Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi.

Hamas's armed wing, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Islamic Army kidnapped Shalit in a deadly attack on an Israeli army post near Gaza border on June 25.

Israel has rejected the militant groups demand to release all Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails in return for Shalit's freedom.

Israel launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip on June 28 to bring Shalit home and stop Palestinian rocket attacks.

Source: Xinhua