Media reports say a captured Israeli soldier has written a letter to his family pleading for his life and urging his government not to abandon him.

Noam Shalit, the father of the captured soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, told news outlets his son wrote in the letter about his desire to be released.

Palestinian militants kidnapped Shalit near the Gaza border two years ago. He has not been seen since. The militant group Hamas wants Israel to free Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his release.

On Monday, the foundation of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said a handwritten letter from Corporal Shalit arrived at its West Bank office Sunday, and was delivered to his parents.

The Carter Center said the letter resulted from the former president's meeting with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in April.

In violence Tuesday, Hamas says three of its members were killed in Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian medical workers say at least four people were wounded in the attacks. They took place as Palestinian militants launched more than 15 mortars toward Israel.

Israeli officials are debating whether to carry out a military offensive in Gaza in an effort to stop militant rocket fire.

In other news, Palestinian officials say after a delay, Israel has transferred vital tax revenues to the Palestinians.

It is not clear how much money was transferred.

Under an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, Israeli authorities collect taxes on behalf of the Palestinian government in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority relies on the tax money to pay the salaries of more than 150,000 civil servants in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.