Palestinian demand: free woman and children from jail

According to the Guardian, a group claiming to be holding the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, have demanded the release from Israeli jails of women and children under the age of 18.

A statement faxed Monday by Palestinian groups purporting to hold an Israeli soldier demanded the release of women and children under 18 held in Israeli prisons. The authenticity of the statement could not immediately be verified.

Cpl. Gilad Shalit was captured Sunday in an attack by Hamas-linked militants on an Israeli military post near the Gaza Strip border. The demand, if authentic, was the first issued by his captors.

Now I feel a bit sorry for the soldier's family. If he gets killed can they say he died in a noble cause? Can they say that his life was a price worth paying for Israel keeping women and children under lock and key?