Noam Shalit, the father of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, said on Monday, "We feel that this is not the time for small talk but for deeds. We want and expect to see Gilad at home after so many days, weeks and years."

Shalit spoke at the beginning of a meeting he held at the Knesset with Information Minister Yuli Edelstein. Edelstein said, "The situation is personally not easy, as it is for everybody. I'm torn up inside and I think that all intelligent people are going through this no less than I am. I hope that all the ministers will meet with the Shalit family." The family is meeting with leaders in an effort to gather support for an impending deal for Gilad's release.