Three Hamas terrorist groups – the Popular Resistance Committees, the Army of Islam and the military wing of Hamas – claimed responsibility for kidnapping Shalit during their attack on an IDF outpost one week ago.
On Monday they issued an ultimatum to the Israeli government: release the terrorist prisoners by 6:00 am Tuesday or “pay the consequences” -- but made no commitment to free him.
“If the enemy does not agree to our humanitarian demands…” read “Military Communique 3” sent by the terrorists, “We will regard this case as closed.”
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement in response to the ultimatum, saying Israel would not give in to extortion by the Palestinian Authority or the Hamas government which it said was guided by “murderous terrorist organizations”.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned PA officials that no one is immune to retaliation for the kidnapping, and that military and security operations against the PA will not stop until Shalit is freed.
“There will be no negotiations to release prisoners,” read the PMO statement. “We hold the Palestinian Authority fully responsible for the welfare of Gilad Shalit and his return safe and sound to Israel,” it said.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz warned, at a Labor faction meeting in the Knesset on Monday, that Israel also held Syria responsible for Shalit’s fate. “We suggest that [Syrian President Bashar] Assad – who is trying to close his eyes – open his eyes because he is responsible,” he said, referring to the role of Damascus-based Hamas leaders in the abduction.
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz visited the Shalit home on Monday to update Noam and Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s parents, on the situation. “I support the position that says we will not surrender to blackmail and to any ultimatum presented by any terror organization,” he said. Shalit’s father asked Halutz to please make sure his son is safely returned to the family. “I ask from you as the IDF’s number 1 soldier to please protect the interests of my son in order that he may return home,” said Mr. Shalit in a passionate appeal. Halutz responded, “We will do everything possible and needed in order to release Gilad soon.”
Halutz was silent about the options under consideration by Israel’s security establishment. “The diplomatic and security echelon will weigh all the considerations, and when we decide to operate we will inform the public on what was decided,” he said. “We will know how to strike those who are involved,” said Peretz at the Labor faction meeting.
Citing the need to focus on the hostage crisis, Olmert cancelled Monday’s Kadima faction meeting.
On Monday they issued an ultimatum to the Israeli government: release the terrorist prisoners by 6:00 am Tuesday or “pay the consequences” -- but made no commitment to free him.
“If the enemy does not agree to our humanitarian demands…” read “Military Communique 3” sent by the terrorists, “We will regard this case as closed.”
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement in response to the ultimatum, saying Israel would not give in to extortion by the Palestinian Authority or the Hamas government which it said was guided by “murderous terrorist organizations”.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned PA officials that no one is immune to retaliation for the kidnapping, and that military and security operations against the PA will not stop until Shalit is freed.
“There will be no negotiations to release prisoners,” read the PMO statement. “We hold the Palestinian Authority fully responsible for the welfare of Gilad Shalit and his return safe and sound to Israel,” it said.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz warned, at a Labor faction meeting in the Knesset on Monday, that Israel also held Syria responsible for Shalit’s fate. “We suggest that [Syrian President Bashar] Assad – who is trying to close his eyes – open his eyes because he is responsible,” he said, referring to the role of Damascus-based Hamas leaders in the abduction.
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz visited the Shalit home on Monday to update Noam and Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s parents, on the situation. “I support the position that says we will not surrender to blackmail and to any ultimatum presented by any terror organization,” he said. Shalit’s father asked Halutz to please make sure his son is safely returned to the family. “I ask from you as the IDF’s number 1 soldier to please protect the interests of my son in order that he may return home,” said Mr. Shalit in a passionate appeal. Halutz responded, “We will do everything possible and needed in order to release Gilad soon.”
Halutz was silent about the options under consideration by Israel’s security establishment. “The diplomatic and security echelon will weigh all the considerations, and when we decide to operate we will inform the public on what was decided,” he said. “We will know how to strike those who are involved,” said Peretz at the Labor faction meeting.
Citing the need to focus on the hostage crisis, Olmert cancelled Monday’s Kadima faction meeting.