Transportation and Road Safety Minister Shaul Mofaz (Kadima), a former Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff, said Sunday morning that he will vote against the proposal of outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to free another 250 terrorists as a "goodwill" gesture to Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He said that no one else should be released until Hamas frees kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

The government has defined the men as "prisoners," but Mofaz stated, "The 'prisoners' are terrorists. Let's be clear about that." He also expressed his opposition to any attempt to take over control of the Gaza region.