The IDF Spokesperson's Office scrambled to cool off media excitement on Monday over IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi's public assertion that
Ashkenazi made the remark during a speech to armored corps recruits at the IDF induction center at Tel HaShomer in Tel Aviv.
One new recruit asked the Chief of Staff, "What will the IDF do when we go out to the lines and what will the State do in order to return a hostage alive or dead?" The soldier noted that Gilad Shalit is still in captivity after being kidnapped two years ago, adding, "This is a very disturbing issue."
In an answer that surprised many with its candor, Ashkenazi responded, "Gilad Shalit has been held hostage for more than two years and we must return him and make every effort on this matter. We know that Gilad Shalit is alive, where he is being held and by whom."
"I can't say I am pleased," the General continued, "but we completed the mission in the north and returned Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, unfortunately not alive, but we returned them to a Jewish grave. I can't go into details, but efforts are being exerted on the Gilad Shalit issue on all levels."
The Chief of Staff emphasized that IDF soldiers "must always remember that if anything happens to them, we will make sure they are returned to their families."
Within two hours the Spokesperson's Unit issued a "clarification" playing down the significance of Ashkenazi's remarks.
"What the Chief of Staff meant to say was that we know Gilad Shalit is being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. His remark offers no new information," said the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.