Yoel Marshak, one of the central figures on the Task Force for the Release of Gilad Shalit, says that Hamas's apparent refusal of the latest Israeli offer for the abducted soldier is not surprising because it was an offer that asked to be rejected. Interviewed by Arutz Sheva on Friday, the reserves lieutenant colonel said Israel was in a bad situation, given the fact that Shalit is alive but nobody knows in what condition since the video released months ago.
Marshak says Israel should agree to Hamas's demands and change the rules for future hostage incidents, taking into account that the Israel Defense Forces eliminated a terrorist who took part in the murder of Rabbi Meir Chai in Samaria last week while free under an amnesty program. Regarding the phrase "at any price" which is often used to talk about prisoners to be freed in exchange for Shalit, Marshak said, "If they get up to kill you, get up earlier to kill them.