Israel says it will not open Gaza border crossings until Hamas frees soldier Gilad Schalit, captured by the militant group nearly three years ago.

Israel’s security cabinet has voted to back Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s stance that Corporal Schalit must be released as part of any Gaza truce deal.

Mr Olmert is proposing a deal under which up to 1,400 Palestinian prisoners would be freed in exchange for the soldier.

“The security cabinet unanimously decided the release of the soldier Shalit is a condition to any agreement with Hamas,” said interior minister Meir Sheetrit.

He told Israel Radio “it would be inconceivable” to enter a truce deal before his release.

The decision is likely to set back Egyptian efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militants who control Gaza.

The talks come in the wake of a harsh Israeli military offensive in Gaza that ended last month.

Hamas has been demanding Israel end its blockade of Gaza as part of a truce agreement.

The militant group says the case of the soldier should be settled separately.