Defense Minister Peretz gave the order just hours after talking with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who expressed her concern at the gave situation of the Gaza populace. Israeli media did not report whether Rice provided any practical advice as to how to obtain the soldier's release. The media reported only that Peretz had asked her to pressure Syria, which is hosting Hamas terrorist leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus. Meshaal is the man calling the shots in the abduction of the Israeli soldier.
The crossing will be opened for four days during the coming week, allowing 600 trucks laden with food and medicines to enter Gaza. In addition, a gas terminal at Nachal Oz will be opened for the use of the Arab public in Gaza.
Prime Minister Olmert said again today that he has no interest in hurting the Palestinian population, but that if it is hurt - which he implied would occur - it is the fault of Hamas.
Originally, when Shalit was first abducted in a full-scale military operation by Hamas gunmen who tunneled underground to an IDF base, Olmert said that if he was not released within 48 hours, Israel would not allow food and gas into Gaza and would cut off electricity.
Meanwhile, Egypt's mediation efforts to bring about Shalit's release appear to have failed. Egypt had proposed an immediate release of Shalit, in exchange for an Israeli promise to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for a release in the future of terrorists. The Israeli promise, which Egypt would guarantee, would stipulate the release not only of women and young terrorists, as the Hamas-affiliated Popular Resistance Committees have been demanding - but others as well.
Neither Hamas or Israel appears to agree to the initiative. For one thing, it is not clear who in Hamas is making the decisions, as PA Chairman Abu Mazen himself said yesterday. In addition, some Hamas spokesmen have said that an Israeli promise to Egypt is not sufficient.
Israeli officials say that it will not negotiate for the release of Shalit. "Surrender today is an invitation to the next terror attack," Olmert said this morning.
However, some reports are that Israel might be willing to release the Hamas politicians who were arrested last week, in exchange for Corp. Shalit.
The Almagor Terror Victims Association calls on Prime Minister Olmert to take the offensive. In a letter to Olmert, the organization suggests that Israel should threaten to kill murderous terrorists in Israeli prisons if Shalit is harmed. The letter, which encourages Olmert to stand strong and not give in to the kidnappers' demands, is signed by the following people: 1) Lt.-Col. (res.) Meir Indor, who was wounded while pursuing terrorists in Gaza, 2) terror-bereaved relatives Dr. Aryeh Bachrach, Yehoshua Herling and Reuven Felix, and 3) former Prisoner of Zion Yosef Mendlevitch.
IDF historian Meir Pa'il totally dismissed the theory that if Israel gives in to Hamas demands, terrorists will kidnap more Israelis. "It's important for every soldier and Israeli to know," Pa'il told Voice of Israel Radio, "that if he is taken captive, we'll do everything to redeem him."
Meir Indor of Almagor told Arutz-7 in response, "That's important, but it's also important for every soldier and every Israeli to know that he won't be the next candidate for kidnapping. The kidnappers must be dealt with forcefully. True, we've gotten ourselves into a big mess right now, but this proposal will provide a better long-term solution than any of the alternatives."
IDF forces remain deployed outside Gaza, where they have been since Wednesday night. Olmert has delayed the actual entry, however. IDF artillery has been firing on Kassam-launching areas in northern Gaza for the past few days.
The crossing will be opened for four days during the coming week, allowing 600 trucks laden with food and medicines to enter Gaza. In addition, a gas terminal at Nachal Oz will be opened for the use of the Arab public in Gaza.
Prime Minister Olmert said again today that he has no interest in hurting the Palestinian population, but that if it is hurt - which he implied would occur - it is the fault of Hamas.
Originally, when Shalit was first abducted in a full-scale military operation by Hamas gunmen who tunneled underground to an IDF base, Olmert said that if he was not released within 48 hours, Israel would not allow food and gas into Gaza and would cut off electricity.
Meanwhile, Egypt's mediation efforts to bring about Shalit's release appear to have failed. Egypt had proposed an immediate release of Shalit, in exchange for an Israeli promise to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for a release in the future of terrorists. The Israeli promise, which Egypt would guarantee, would stipulate the release not only of women and young terrorists, as the Hamas-affiliated Popular Resistance Committees have been demanding - but others as well.
Neither Hamas or Israel appears to agree to the initiative. For one thing, it is not clear who in Hamas is making the decisions, as PA Chairman Abu Mazen himself said yesterday. In addition, some Hamas spokesmen have said that an Israeli promise to Egypt is not sufficient.
Israeli officials say that it will not negotiate for the release of Shalit. "Surrender today is an invitation to the next terror attack," Olmert said this morning.
However, some reports are that Israel might be willing to release the Hamas politicians who were arrested last week, in exchange for Corp. Shalit.
The Almagor Terror Victims Association calls on Prime Minister Olmert to take the offensive. In a letter to Olmert, the organization suggests that Israel should threaten to kill murderous terrorists in Israeli prisons if Shalit is harmed. The letter, which encourages Olmert to stand strong and not give in to the kidnappers' demands, is signed by the following people: 1) Lt.-Col. (res.) Meir Indor, who was wounded while pursuing terrorists in Gaza, 2) terror-bereaved relatives Dr. Aryeh Bachrach, Yehoshua Herling and Reuven Felix, and 3) former Prisoner of Zion Yosef Mendlevitch.
IDF historian Meir Pa'il totally dismissed the theory that if Israel gives in to Hamas demands, terrorists will kidnap more Israelis. "It's important for every soldier and Israeli to know," Pa'il told Voice of Israel Radio, "that if he is taken captive, we'll do everything to redeem him."
Meir Indor of Almagor told Arutz-7 in response, "That's important, but it's also important for every soldier and every Israeli to know that he won't be the next candidate for kidnapping. The kidnappers must be dealt with forcefully. True, we've gotten ourselves into a big mess right now, but this proposal will provide a better long-term solution than any of the alternatives."
IDF forces remain deployed outside Gaza, where they have been since Wednesday night. Olmert has delayed the actual entry, however. IDF artillery has been firing on Kassam-launching areas in northern Gaza for the past few days.