Israel has firmly contradicted Hamas's claim that the Rafiah border will be opened before kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit is released. Defense Ministry security-political director Amos Gilad told the Hebrew newspaper Yediot Aharonot several hours before the temporary truce began at 6 a.m. (11 p.m. Wednesday EDT), "If Gilad Shalit is not released, the Rafiah crossing will not open."
The family of Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas and other terrorists two years ago, has threatened to appeal to the High Court of Justice to negate the understanding with Hamas, which does not include the release of the soldier in the initial stages of the temporary ceasefire.
Hamas has said the agreement calls for the Rafiah crossing at the Egyptian border to be re-opened, following which there will be negotiations with Israel for the release of terrorists "with blood on their hands" in return for Shalit, who is believed to be alive.
Re-opening the Rafiah crossing would be tantamount to giving Hamas "defacto recognition.
Gilad flatly stated the contrary, insisting that it was made clear to Egyptian mediators that Shalit was to be included in the understanding. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated Wednesday night that no talks were held directly with Hamas, which he referred to as "contemptible and bloodthirsty" terrorist organization.
Gilad also told Yediot Aharonot that re-opening the Rafiah crossing would be tantamount to giving Hamas "defacto recognition…because it would constitute the organization's first international border with Egypt." It also would involve inspectors from the European Union (EU) as well as consultations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the United States. "This is a complicated process conditioned on progress being made in the Shalit deal," he concluded.
Gilad repeated threats made several years ago by senior government officials in the Sharon and Olmert administrations during talks involving previous ceasefires, that if "one single rocket is fired, it will be a violation of the agreement." However he did not say whether Israel would immediately retaliate.