Free GIlad Shalit: Time in Captivity

Poll: Five Years On. What should the Israeli Government do?

What action should the Israeli Government take now that Hamas has clear control of Gaza and it has been 1 year since Gilad Shalit was been kidnapped
Negotiate with Hamas
Negotiate with Hamas, release as many prisoners as it takes
Hold the Hamas Leadership directly accountable
Hold the Leadership accountable and give them one final deadline before military action
Hold Leadership accountable, give deadline for military action and total cessation of all Israeli supplied electricty and Water.
-

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Gilad Shalit: When the Shark and The Fish First Met

From Arutz Sheva:

A short story written by kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit at age 11 will be professionally illustrated, published, and released to select bookstores in January. The story is about a fish and shark that become friends despite their parents’ opposition and eventually create peace between their two species.

The story has already been translated into English, Arabic, and other languages, and has inspired an art exhibit in Nahariya. Organizers hope to bring Arabic copies of the story to the Palestinian Authority, and to bring the art exhibit to the central district.



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Sunday, December 23, 2007

take advantage of the situation

The politicians and the IDF have finally done some serious, fairly proactive, attacks to neutralize the Qassam rocket attacks on Sderot and the area. It has met with considerable success. Mainly because the leaders in Gaza are scared for their lives.

This was not a ground op (which is probably necessary anyway) which puts Israeli soldiers at risk. This was targeted attacks on the leadership who are giving the ok to shoot the rockets. As soon as a couple of their leaders were knocked off, the rest ran like scared bunnies and started calling for ceasefires. The call itself is funny, as we only targeted their people because of the Qassam attacks. In other words, stop shooting Qassams, and we stop, automatically, picking off your leaders.

But they were scared, so they called for a ceasefire.

Yet at the same time they call for a ceasefire, they have still been shooting Qassam rockets into Israel. It kind of makes their call for a ceasefire meaningless. They should have stopped shooting and then call for a ceasefire. Then they could say we have stopped, let us now negotiate a ceasefire and if an agreement is not reached, then they should start up again. As it is, their call for a ceasefire is meaningless.

Israel, wisely I think, is refusing to talk to Hamas until Hamas recognizes Israel (though we all know they do talk, as they claim to have been negotiating for Shalit's release). It should keep them scared.

At the same time, I think, Israel should continue going after their leadership and knocking them off, until such an agreement is in place. Keep them scared.

What Israel should really do now, I think, is negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas. but not on Hamas' terms. Not an agreement that says Hamas stops shooting Qassam rockets and Israel stops killing terrorists.
The agreements negotiated should be that Hamas stops shooting Qassam rockets and returns Gilad Shalit to Israel, and Israel stops killing terrorists.

Now that Israel finally has some semblance of an upper-hand on the Gaza situation, we should take advantage of it. They are scared for their lives. Tell them that if they want us to stop shooting at their leaders, they should stop shooting at us and give us back Shalit.

We finally have an advantage. Let's use it.

(cross posted at the Life in Israel blog)

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Friday, December 14, 2007

(cross posted at Life in Israel )


With all this talk of a possible offensive entry by the army into Gaza due to the recent wave of Qassam rocket attacks, I consider the fate of Gilad Shalit.
All indications point to the fact that he is still alive. Going into Gaza now on an offensive will likely create a situation in which Hamas will execute, God forbid, Shalit.

Remember Nachshon Wachsman? The soldier kidnapped by Palestinians. He was held in a rigged building and while Israeli forces broke in to try to free him, the terrorists killed him in full view.

Is that what we want to happen now? Could we not have released Shalit earlier, before it came to necessity of an armed offensive in Gaza? Does the army not think that this will be Shalit's fate?

The price demanded for Shalit was very high. I was against trading so many terrorist for Shalit, and the government was as well. It is horrible to have a soldier in captivity, but when one pays too high a price for his freedom, it encourages more kidnappings.

But since then, we have released about a thousand terrorists anyway. Just as a sign of goodwill. To strengthen Abu Mazen. For free. With nothing in return.

If we were going to release a thousand terrorists, couldn't we have done it to obtain Shalit's release? Especially knowing that there would be a good chance we would need to go into Gaza on the offensive at some point?

Let's hope this scenario does not play out and Shalit comes home safely, but it is very worrying..

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Eyal Regev: We must listen to Nasrallah

Family members of kidnapped reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev expressed hope on Wednesday that Hizbullah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah would hold true to his statements Tuesday that talks on their release were indeed progressing

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Body of Israeli swapped for Hizbullah prisoner, 2 slain fighters

From YNet

Lebanese media reports Hizbullah hands over body of Israeli civilian to International Red Cross while Israel in turn hands over prisoner, bodies of two Hizbullah fighters. PM's office: Deal part of negotiations to return kidnapped soldiers Regev, Goldwasser
Hizbullah swapped the body of a dead Israeli in exchange for the bodies of two slain fighters and a Hizbullah prisoner at a crossing point along the border on Monday.

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Olmert/Bush, Don't Miss This Opportunity

If there is to be yet another summit, let some good come out of it.

Israel has again and again (always to her own detriment), made all the concessions, in this never ending quest for peace with the Arabs. The Arabs, on the other hand, make empty promises, and do nothing. Even worse, they perceive concession to be weakness and demand even more.

This total mockery of the so-called peace process is nothing short of insanity. A well known definition of insanity is to do the same things over and over again, expecting a different outcome. This time let's break with this tragic cycle. Let's put some real demands on the table, and let's stick to them.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Karnit Goldwasser confronts Ahmadinejad

Goldwasser takes Ahmadinejad to task
The wife of one of the IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah last summer infiltrated a UN press conference with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday to demand information on her husband.

"Why are you not allowing the Red Cross to visit them?" Karnit Goldwasser asked of her husband Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who was kidnapped with him. When Ahmadinejad didn't respond to her questioning, despite her having been called on by the moderator, she asked, "How come you're not answering me?"

Right before Goldwasser's question, Ahmadinejad refused to answer a question from Channel 10 correspondent Gil Tamari. Tamari asked whether Iran was concerned that Israel might take an action similar to the one it took last week, in which the IAF allegedly bombed a possible nuclear site in Syria. Ahmadinejad simply said, "Next question."

When another reporter asked a question seeking clarity on whether the Iranian president recognized Israel or wanted to destroy it, he asked for the journalist's news outlet before responding. Told that it was a Fox News reporter, he declined to address the question directly, but did eventually ask, rhetorically, "The Soviet Union, where is it now? It failed. It disappeared. Was it done through war? No." He also reiterated his support for the Palestinians' right to self-determination, as well as earlier calls he has made for a Palestinian referendum.

Later, when a different reporter asked a similar question, Ahmadinejad replied, "They really want to hurt us, but with the support of God, they won't be able to harm the Iranian nation."


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Saturday, September 15, 2007

Report: Hamas moves Schalit, fearing kidnapped senior member will 'sing'

Kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Schalit, held by Hamas since June 2006, has been transferred to a new hiding place, Channel Two reported Tuesday.

A commentator on the station estimated that the kidnapping of Senior Hamas official Mohawah al-Qadi, at first denied by the IDF but then referred to by Interior Security Minister Avi Dichter, was the reason for transferring Schalit.

Reportedly, Hamas was afraid al-Qadi would disclose details regarding the whereabouts of the soldier.

References:
JPost: Report: Hamas moves Schalit, fearing kidnapped senior member will 'sing'

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Friday, September 7, 2007

Red Cross Pushing for Shalit's Release

I heard contradictory news about whether the Red Cross is indeed involved in this--The BBC is say the Red Cross is involved:

The Director General of the ICRC, Angelo Gnaedinger, met Ismail Haniya in Gaza on Wednesday.

Afterwards, Mr Gnaedinger said he was told a visit to Corporal Shalit was "under consideration and that everybody is working on a positive solution".

Cpl Shalit was seized in Israel by Palestinian militants in June 2006.

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

"Don't Let Apathy Kill Them"

From Arutz Sheva:

Tel Aviv Birthday Party Rally for Shalit

Family and friends of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit are planning a large 21st birthday party rally at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv Tuesday. Organizers will hand out small magnets with slogans stating "Don't let apathy kill them" and "We're waiting for you back home."

Hamas has refused a request by Shalit's father Noam to publish in its newspaper a birthday letter to Gilad. Independent Arab newspapers previously have published personal letters to his son, who was kidnapped by Hamas and other terrorists more than a year ago.

Hamas wants prisoner release for Schalit video

"We did not blackmail Israel, and we gave free information to Gilad Schalit's father and his family that Gilad Schalit is still alive. When he asked us to bring him glasses for his sight, we did so as a humanitarian duty. We treat Gilad Schalit in a humanitarian way that is in line with the Palestinians' morals," Hamas leader in Syria, Khaled Mashaal told a CNN reporter on Monday.

"Hamas changed a lot and great efforts have been made to conform to the realistic positions of Palestinians and Arabs. When Hamas says with other Palestinians forces that we demand for a Palestinian country as the border was back in 1967, Isn't this a development? [Sic]" he added.

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Saturday, August 18, 2007

Prose to Ponder

A haiku

really, what irks us
is...ideology kills
free Gilad Shalit

7/6/07
by rda

A Poem

clasping peace
piece by piece
peace piped in
breaking ways
piece meal
breaking bread
flat bread shared
piece by tattered piece
full-filling my guts desire...

for peace
shorn off the lamb's weathered wool
living amongst the enemy
piece of my peace
piece of your peace
blanket persists stitch by stitch

2/14/04
by rda

thanks to Haikuiraq.blogspot.com

A Christian perspective:
A poem about Freeing Gilad

Gilad at 19 you are just a lad,
they were cowards taking you
but we havent stopped praying
nor will we do, until the Lord delivers you
Your father mourns a son and heir
The Heavenly Father hears our prayer
Yes we are Christians we worship Yeshua
But we faithfully bless you of that please be sure
We know that our God answers prayer
We know though alone you will not feel lonely
For the Holy Spirit can reach you even when only
He can cos you are far from the touch of friends.
And so this poem slowly ends. Gilad you are
prayed for by all your friends, friends you do not
know from across the world, friends who march under
a banner of Love unfurled in the Heavenly Realm
with Yeshua Ha Messiach at the helm
So we pray psalm 91 and we pray for your health and
your strength and protection and declare to the enemy
wherever the lurk - Our God Reigns and completes His work
on earth as in Heaven love and faith are leaven.......................


By the Way...

The Following Poem was submitted by Valerie.
As the moderator of this blog,[Mr Bagel] I'd like to indicate that I respect peoples rights to their chosen religious beliefs.

Personally I'm Jewish, and on my own personal blog I wouldn't entertain the notion of posting a Poem that featured beliefs that contradict my own held beliefs.

But the desire to free Gilad Shalit is not about any particular persons religious beliefs, its simply the decent thing to want and because of that, I have decided to post this poem.

Valerie I appreciate the time you spent in writing this poem.

Regards Mr Bagel


Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Almost Lost Another One

The BBC reports:

Israeli soldiers patrolling the streets of Hebron, in the West Bank, last September
Israeli politicians said the incident was "unacceptable"
An Israeli soldier has rejoined his unit after being left behind in Gaza during a raid against Palestinian militants, army officials have said.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

Jenin leader of Al Quds Brigades abducted by Israeli undercover agents

From Maan News Agency

Israeli undercover forces are said to have abducted the leader of the Jenin chapter of the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades, Adham Younis Al 'Azza (25), when he was visiting the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Thursday afternoon.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Why is the Israeli government releasing any Palestinian Prisoners?

Rehavam Zeevi, Israeli Tourism Minister, was shot by four
gunmen in the Jersusalem Hyatt hotel in October 2001

Israel 'to free leader of terror group that killed minister'

Israeli Cabinet ministers today approved a list of 256 Palestinian prisoners slated to be released this week in a gesture of support for Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, said to include the No 2 in the radical PFLP group.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - a militant PLO faction listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and European Union - claimed responsibility in 2001 for the assassination of Rehavam Zeevi, the right-wing Israeli Tourism Minister.

The names of the prisoners to be released have not been announced, but Palestinian sources said that they would include Abdelrahim Malluh, deputy leader of the PFLP. "“President Abbas has told the Malluh family that he will be freed,” Khalida Jarar, a PFLP official, told AFP.

David Baker, an official in the office of Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, said that a ministerial committee approved the release by seven votes to two. The list is to be published later today, giving Israelis 48 hours to file legal challenges before the prisoners, including six women, are released on Friday.

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Saturday, July 14, 2007

Hamas man involved in Shalit kidnapping arrested

Man also admits to participating in infiltration of IDF outpost five years ago and several missile launchings

The IDF and Shin Bet arrested Mohammad Sufi, an operative affiliated with Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) who admitted to involvement in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit one year ago, it was cleared for publication on Friday.

Sufi (30) was arrested at the beginning of July, and was responsible for documenting the June 25, 2006 attack and kidnapping at Kerem Shalom as part of Hamas' propaganda campaign.

During his investigation, Sufi also admitted to involvement in the infiltration into an IDF outpost in southern Gaza five years ago, in January of 2002. Four soldiers, including a major, were killed in that incident.

Sufi, who lives in Rafah on the border with Egypt, admitted to having fired several missiles towards Israel and planting explosive devices against IDF forces.

These devices caused the injury of a number of soldiers, in the incidents cited.


Mr Bagel: Note another fact that points to the ever increasing scenario that Hamas was directly involved in this crime.

Don't allow the Palestinian Terrorists to play Musical Chairs, they must be held accountable. The Hamas leadership is directly responsible and accountable.

References: Ynet News: Hamas man involved in Shalit kidnapping arrested [End]

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Report: Hizbullah took reservists alive

A Lebanese reporter with close ties to Hizbullah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah was quoted by Channel 1 on Thursday night as saying that kidnapped IDF reservists Eldad Regev and Ehud Golwasser had been taken alive from their military vehicle when they were abducted exactly one year ago.

According to the report, Hizbullah filmed the kidnapping before hiding the video in an undisclosed location.

Less than an hour after the incident, the reporter claimed, Nasrallah received a message saying that "the gift has arrived," referring to the captured reservists.

Nasrallah reportedly responded to the news by asking whether Hizbullah had any casualties and what the Israeli media was reporting.

[END]

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Friday, July 13, 2007

Has Anybody Seen Ehud, Eldad, or Gilad?

One year ago today Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev joined Gilad Shalit as prisoners of Islamic Terrorists...at least we think that is the case. Hezbollah says they are alive and in their Hands but there has been no communication from them, no pictures or Red Cross visits--no word from to their families that they are OK.

Each of the kidnappings were made without provocation and on Israeli soil. Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were kidnapped under the watchful eyes of the UN. Other kidnappings during during this year provoked world outrage they were released, two Fox broadcasters and the BBC's Mr. Johnston (who after his release took a victory tour thanking every terrorist he could find). Where is the outrage for Ehud, Eldad, and Gilad?

When negotiating the truce for this past summer's war in Lebanon, Israel wanted any cease-fire delayed until Eldad and Ehud were released but France said no. Olmert gave in and together they sentinced Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev to a long imprisonment.

Where is the UN Human Rights Council? Why havent the UNFIL troops insisted on the return of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev as outlined in the cease fire agreement? Why hasn't France SHOUTED for the return of French citizen Gilad Shalit the way the British shouted for their BBC Reporter? Why isn't the BBC campaining for all of the terrorist's hostages in Gaza to be released? Is Gilad Shalit not just as human as Johnston? Does Ehud Goldwasser's wife love him any less? Was Eldad Regev less kind? I don't think so.[Click read more...]

Gilad began his military service about a year ago – at the end of July 2005. He preferred to serve in a combat unit despite the fact that he could have avoided combat duty due to a low medical profile. He followed his elder brother Yoel into the armored forces. Yoel had finished his service a year earlier. Gilad was highly motivated. He overcame all the obstacles facing a combat recruit of the armored forces and successfully ended his training a few months ago. For the last couple of months he has been on duty guarding and ensuring the security of the settlements around Gaza.

Gilad is a well-mannered, quiet and introverted young man. An almost permanent shy and hesitant smile light up his face. Gilad is always volunteering to help everyone; even on his short vacations from the army he helped his parents run their “Bed & Breakfast”.

Since the attack at Kerem Shalom on Sunday, 06/25/2006, Gilad has been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.

Gilad - Mother and Father, Yoel and Hadas and all the family and all your friends miss you terribly and wish to see you and your smile already and to embrace you in a strong and loving embrace.

Ehud Goldwasser (Udi)

Udi (31) was born in Nahariya on 07/18/1975. He is the son of Miki and Shlomo and elder brother of Yair (26) and Gadi (23). He married Karnit 10 months ago, after 9 years of seeing each other. Udi and Karnit share a great love and a very special relationship.

Udi is a graduate of the science class in “Amal Comprehensive High School”, Nahariya. He served in the combat battalion “Tzabar Givati”. After his military service he toured Australia alone on a motorcycle for half a year. Later, he completed his preparatory studies in the Technion and went on to study environmental engineering.

Udi is a kind and much loved person. He is considerate of other people’s opinions even if they oppose his own. It’s fun being in his company. He is a loving caring person, always ready to offer a helping hand in any situation. He is a man of principles and values, knowledgeable in many varied subjects. He loves movies, music and spending time with his friends.

He has many friends from the different periods of his life: His childhood friends with whom he grew up in Nahariya, pals from the army, friends from the Technion and friends from his travels around the world. Conservation of the environment is of the utmost importance to him. Indeed, he joined a Green group so as to help clean our nature reserves.

Udi loves animals, and although he suffers from a mild fur allergy, he lives with two cats and lovingly adopted “mishehoo” (“someone”), an abandoned and injured dog he found in the street. He is a sworn lover of motorcycles and has encyclopedic knowledge of all models made all over the world and their technical details.

Over the last few years he has developed a great interest in photography. He spends much of his spare time taking pictures of scenery and nature in Israel and abroad. Lately, his hobby has become a profession having begun to work on some projects as a photographer.

As a child he sailed the seas with his father, and has recently got his “skipper” license for sailing yachts and was planning to sail abroad.

Udi has a special love for children. He is always talking proudly of the kids in his family and of his friends’ kids. Karnit and he are dreaming of their own addition to their family!

On the 07/12/2006 Udi was abducted to Lebanon after Hezbollah attacked his military patrol.


Eldad Regev Eldad Regev is 26 years old. Born and raised in Kiryat Motzkin. Eldad is the son of Tova (of blessed memory) and Zvi Regev, and brother of Benny, Ofer and Eyal. Eldad attended “Mitzpe”, a religious elementary school in Kiryat Motzkin, before continuing his education in the nearby Yeshiva High School in Kiryat Shmuel. After completing three years of military service in the elite Givati infantry brigade, he enrolled in Bar Ilan University's pre-law preparatory course with the aim of being accepted to the university's Law faculty. Eldad is loved and immensely popular among all that know him.

In high school, Eldad excelled in biology and passed all his matriculation exams with ease. In spite of his mother Tova's untimely death (of blessed memory) while he was in the 12th grade, Eldad decided to serve in a combat unit and volunteered for Givati. After the service, like most of his friends he traveled to the Far East. On his return he started to work while at the same time continuing his studies in Bar Ilan University’s academic preparatory course.

One of the qualities that makes Eldad so special is the kindness of his heart – never hesitating to donate and offer aid to anyone in need. He always likes to stay informed and is constantly involved in what is happening around him. Eldad made many friends throughout high school and during his army service, all of whom can attest to his fine qualities.

Among Eldad’s hobbies are football (last year he passed a coaching course - he is a fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv football team), music and books.

A fanatical football fan, before being called up for reserve duty Eldad closely followed the World Cup games. He also went to Roger Water’s (of Pink Floyd) concert in Kerem Shalom.

Eldad was called up for military reserve duty after completing his exams at the preparatory course in Bar Ilan University. During his reserve duty he spoke with his family and told them of his experiences. Three days before his abduction he visited his family and participated in the annual memorial for his mother. Later, he watched the last game of the World Cup between Italy and France. The following day he returned to the complete the remainder of his reserve duty.

On July 12th 2006 Eldad was abducted and taken to Lebanon after Hezbollah attacked his military patrol.

One long year has passed since IDF soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev were kidnapped by Hamas and Hezbollah.

Show the world we have not forgotten and will not forget them.

Join us in demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

Monday, July 16th, 2007

12:00 noon / Rain or Shine

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza ( 1st Ave. and 47th St . ) New York City , NY

PLEASE JOIN US AND BRING EVERYONE YOU KNOW!


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Hamas Heroes


Hamas Heroes

Beeb!* Your bold reporter is free! --
Released, like the poor canary
From a dark cave of perdition
That is Gaza. Let’s all rejoice!

Laughter burns. Loud cheers smoke the air.
Politicians cry relief
Along with the Press. Saviours
Misunderstood -- thank you Hamas!

Haniyeh, the broker, the brave,
the honest man, freedom fighter,
A face with which the world can side
Against the fabled terrorists.

Let us forget the Hamas charter
Of hate, the killings, the rockets,
Their harsh Sharia, and Shalit
Who slowly dies while all applaud.

By Beaman

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Less than a month ago, Hamas henchman were throwing their opponents from tall buildings in Gaza with their hands tied behind their back. For years they have been firing rockets into Israel, a democratic nation, leading to the deaths of many innocents. The same men sanctioned and ordered, and still do, suicide attacks in Tel Aviv nightclubs, buses and restaurants. A year ago they captured an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, whom they still hold hostage, asking in return for the release of hundreds of criminals. By all the latest reports, Shalit is dying, a slow, painful and lonely death in captivity.[click read more...]

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Thursday, July 12, 2007

abandoning our soldiers

The Second Lebanon War began exactly one year ago today. Two soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad regev, were kidnapped on the northern border by Hezbollah operatives. They covered their bases with a distraction by shooting some missiles into Israel. During the mission to kidnap these soldiers, they also killed three other soldiers.

Israel responded with airstrikes, and eventually a limited ground invasion. The soldiers have not, as of yet, been recovered. They are still in captivity, along with Gilad Shalit in Gaza, and the soldiers of the '80s - Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Zacharya Baumel, Ron Arad and Guy Hever who disappeared in August of 1997.

Are we doing enough to obtain the release of the captive soldiers? Until they are home, the answer has to be "no". We cannot say we are doing all we can until we achieve success.
[Click read more...]

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Web Black Out For Kidnapped Soldiers

From Arutz 7:

Leading Israeli Internet web sites plan to shut down operations for five minutes at 9:05 a.m. (2:05 a.m. EDT) Thursday in order to promote public awareness of the lack of information on the fate of kidnapped IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

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