Palestinian militants holding an Israeli soldier angrily said Tuesday they would not release any information about the serviceman's condition after Israel ignored a deadline to begin releasing Palestinian prisoners.

But as diplomatic efforts continued, the militants said they would not kill the soldier.

Israeli soldiers, one holds a shell as the other runs to reaload a mobile artillery pice at a position near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, just outside the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 4, 2006. Palestinian militants holding an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip angrily said Tuesday they would not release any information about the serviceman's condition after Israel ignored a deadline to begin releasing Palestinian prisoners. But as diplomatic efforts continued, the militants said they would not kill the soldier. [AP]

The militants implied Monday that they would kill Cpl. Gilad Shalit if their demands weren't met. Israel, however, rejected the ultimatum and insisted it would not negotiate with the militants.

After a 6 a.m. (11 p.m. EDT) deadline passed, a spokesman for the shadowy Army of Islam said the groups holding Shalit "have decided to freeze all contacts and close the files of this soldier."

"We will not give any information that will give the occupation good news or reassurance," said the spokesman, Abu Muthana. But, he added, "We will not kill the soldier, if he is still alive."

The previously unknown Army of Islam was among three groups that took part in the June 25 cross-border raid that killed two Israeli soldiers and abducted Shalit, 19. Two other groups, the military wing of the ruling Hamas party and the Hamas-linked Popular Resistance Committees, also claimed responsibility.

Since the abduction, the militants have called on Israel to release hundreds of prisoners in exchange for information about Shalit. The abductors have given no concrete information about the soldier's condition, though Israeli officials believe he is alive.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected any negotiations with the militants, and last week launched a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip aimed at pressuring the Hamas-led Palestinian government to secure the soldier's release.

Cabinet minister Roni Bar-On, who is close to Olmert, said there was no change in the Israeli position after Tuesday's deadline passed and threatened harsh action if the soldier is harmed.

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