The Israelis released officially on Friday morning 19 Palestinian political prisoners in exchange for receipt of a recent video tape of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit captured in the Gaza Strip in 2006.

This exchange constitutes the first stage in a long process that could lead to the release of hundreds out of thousands of Palestinian political prisoners from Israeli prisons for the Israeli soldier.

For the Israelis the tape confirms that Shalit is still alive.

International Committee of the Red Cross vehicles transported the 19 Palestinian women from Hasharon Prison to Ofar Prison where the ICRC ascertained they were all in good health.

One of the women released was met by her son at the Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing into the Gaza Strip. The others were released in the West Bank’s Ramallah.

President Abbas met with the 18 West Bank Palestinians at the Presidential headquarters.

The released of the twentieth woman on the list has been postponed for Sunday.

Most of the women were imprisoned by Israeli military courts on charges of aiding in the armed resistance against occupation.

A German mediator negotiated the exchange for a minute-long tape of Shalit. Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi viewed the tape and sent a copy to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another to Shin Bet, the Israeli internal security service. An additional copy was forwarded to Shalit’s family.

The families of the Palestinians released welcomed their loved ones while also stating that there will be no justice until all prisoners are released.