JERUSALEM, June 9 (Reuters) - The family of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli abducted by militants in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, received a hand-written letter from the captive soldier on Monday, Israel's Channel 10 television said.

Sergeant Gilad Shalit was captured on June 25, 2006 by gunmen who tunnelled into Israel from Gaza. The report did not include the contents of the letter, but said its release came as a result of a visit by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Carter met with leaders of the Hamas Islamist group during his visit to the region early this year.

Shalit's family was not immediately availabe for comment. (Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Dominic Evans)

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