Israel conditions Gaza truce on soldier's release

JERUSALEM, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Israel's security cabinet decided on Wednesday against lifting a Gaza border blockade until Hamas agreed to release a captured Israeli soldier, a minister said after the meeting on a deal for a long-term truce.

The forum agreed "it would be inconceivable", without the release of soldier Gilad Shalit, for Israel to accept an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire calling for reopening border crossings to more than limited humanitarian aid, cabinet minister Meir Sheetrit said on Israel Radio. (Writing by Jeffrey Heller, Editing by Adam Entous)