Hamas leader Ahmad Jabari stated that Hamas will continue to attempt to abduct Israeli Defense Force soldiers and hold them as hostages in exchange for the release of terrorists held in Israeli jails. Jabati stated that the day of the deal to release kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Hamas terrorists was the happiest day of his life.
Ahmed Jabari is a leading commander of the military wing of Hamas in Gaza. He has been credited as a leader in the takeover of Gaza by Hamas following the Israeli government's relinquishing of the land in 2005.