Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi of the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday, "We're endangering people to bring Gilad [Shalit] home." Speaking to students at the Jerusalem High School for Science and Art, the lieutenant-general added, "and a lot is hidden from view."
Regarding tension in Gaza, Ashkenazi said, "We cannot allow a situation in which they shoot at our civilians and communities from a safe place among civilians." He continued, "We have not lost the right to self defense. In the next war we will also do everything to minimize harm to civilians."