The struggle for the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas-allied captors in Gaza is likely to go to the prime minister who emerges from the February 10th elections, according to a senior defense source cited by Maariv/nrg on Tuesday morning. The source said, "Barring dramatic developments that are not on the horizon, Hamas continues to harden its stance. The price that Israel is willing to pay has not changed, except for Hamas spin, which desperately needs an accomplishment in the wake of Operation Cast Lead, in the form of the release of prisoners."
The source's comments come as Shalit's father Noam travelled to France Monday for a closed-door meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at 6:00 tonight. Hamas spokesman was quoted by the London-based Arabic daily on Tuesday as saying, "We will not relay any information" on Shalit.