Gilad Shalit's father: Time not on our side

Left: Addressing foreign press (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

Father of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit expresses concern for son's safety, says family has nothing concrete to grasp to other than unverified reports; continues to turn to foreign media to ask kidnappers to show sign of life from his captive son.

"As long as we don't receive living proof that Gilad is alright, we have nothing to grasp to other than unverified reports at this stage," Shalit said Thursday.

"We know clearly that time is not on our side, but against us. We are not sure of anything," Shalit said.

He spoke with journalists Thursday afternoon and shared with them the experience his family had gone through in the last 24 hours.

Addressing the location of the body of Eliyahu Asheri, the kidnapped teenager from the settlement of Itamar, who was murdered by his captors, Shalit said: "This does not influence our issue, but we express sorrow for his death and send condolences to the family. I as a parent turn to the parents and ask them to guard their children, and certainly this request is especially meant for parents living in the West Bank."

Regarding the IDF operations in recent days, Shalit said: "I want to allow the government to utilize all moves to the fullest. It's clear that that it's impossible to decide it all in one move. We are all the time in touch with army and government officials, and I am assured and sure that the steps being taken now are carefully weighed, with the emphasis being on preventing the harming of innocent civilians on both sides."

"We are all human beings and I expect that Gilad's kidnappers prove that they are human beings. Until now we have not received any sign of life from them, but we hope to receive it as soon as possible," Shalit conclude.

Brigade Commander: We're doing everything

Lieutenant Colonel Yoav, commander of the armored corps brigade in which Gilad Shalit serves, arrived at the Shalit family home in Mitzpeh Hila and spoke with the parents.

"This is a strong family and I came to say that the brigade is with them. We will do everything and are doing everything in order to bring Gilad home," the officer said. He confirmed that the brigade was involved in the current fighting in Gaza.

Left: Commander leaves Shalit family's house (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

Noam Shalit was moved by the visit and thanked Yoav for his help. He asked that in addition to the intensive operations to bring back Gilad, the brigade also aid the bereaved families of two comrades who fell in the attack on the tank near Kerem Shalom.

Shalit made appeals to the foreign press, mainly in English, to try and bring additional pressure on his son's kidnappers and release at least a sign of life from Gilad.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said during a situation analysis meeting in Tel Aviv that "we are in one of the most significant moments in deciding the rules of the game between us and terror elements in the Palestinian Authority in the near future."

The defense minister ordered "every operation taking place in the field to be examined in relation to its effectiveness."

YNet News:
By Hagai Einav

Free: Gilad Shalit
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