They want to make Israel disappear .It's better that this religious group of death and murder go to hell and meet their allah.

Watching Israel this week has Been an Enlightening Experience... The POW Soldier was just a Prop for a drama.. played out to Smear Hamas... Trash Gaza... Collectively Punish all.. Kill a few more Palestinians .... the Young Soldiers life was not even a Consideration....Just A Means to an End.... The Zionist State is in Trouble Indeed.

A euphemism for give us more time to figure out how to get him out of gaza like Arad

What wonderful reporting! We know demands were refused but dont get to know what demands. I guess the actual facts dont sell papers.

Isn't the destruction of power plants and, thus, leaving thousands of civilians without water and electricity a war crime? Wasn't its goal to TERRORIZE people in Ghaza?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This idea of negotiation is a JOKE! The soldier will never (REPEAT: NEVER) be released willingly by his captors. Israel is behaving like the village idiot. Stalling and delaying the invasion, and just adding to the frustration, anger and humiliation that is being felt by Jews all over the world. Forget about this negotiation. JUST GET ON WITH THE JOB OF DESTROYING THE PA/HAMAS ONCE AND FOR ALL. (Something that should have been done 6 yrs ago). Do it any way you can. Destroy the assets, the infrastructure and the economy. In WWII the allies taught the germans and the japanese a lesson that THEY NEVER FORGOT. Nato bombed the old Yugoslavian regime back to the dark ages and they'll never forget that. JUST DO IT ISRAEL!!!

Being under thread of extermination each and every day, Israel did what it had to do - show an excessive amount of force to discourage this or greater acts of terrorism from the Palestinians and like-minded neighbors.

Something tells me all hope is out getting Gilad back. Put just the slightest pressure on a group of poorly trained terrorists and the chance is considerable things go wrong. Israel has yet again shown the world they never leave a citizent behind and that is a stand most countries never has to take. Our prayers this shabbat goes out to Gilad Shalit´s family and to a happy end to this disgraceful and cowardly deed.

Mr. Hitchings, Your belief that the Israelis intend to recklessly punish Palestinian civilians is both naive and insulting. Moreover, your claim that Corporal Shalit is simply a prop demonstrates your utter lack of respect for human life. We need a reality check here. Sadly, innocent Palestinian civilians have been caught in the crossfire between the Palestinian terrorists (who intentionally target Israeli civilians) and the IDF (who take whatever efforts necessary to prevent terrorist attacks). Though the IDF must be most mindful not too harm civilians in the process of fighting terror, Palestinian terrorists purposely hide, store arms, and launch attacks alongside the civilian population. And Israel has the ultimate right to protect its citizens from terror. What's more, the Israeli government has repeatedly proclaimed its endorsement of a two-state solution, but its impossible to negotiate on a final agreement with an entity (Hamas) whose main goal is the destruction of Israel. When Hamas and the Palestinian leadership in charge are ready to be reasonable, including ceasing all terror activities, Israel will be eager to reach a pragmatic peace agreement.

All that is happening today reminds me of the story of David and Goliath. No nation or people upon the macrocosm that we inhabit can annihilate the nation of Israel. Hamas, if you know what is good for you, I strongly advise you to release Gilad Shalit or face the same fate of what little David did to Goliath. This is my take. Israel has the right to exist, leave her alone.

Egypt seems to really be helping Israel. Yay! In the end Hamas will be Hamas and Ehud isn't stupid. We won't except BS- get Shalit without any negatives. We will succeed. I know we will. Baruch Hashem.

Nothing new about that. Israel will not stop committing crimes against humanity until she is forced to.

Talk softly and carry a big friggin stick.

He was probably killed right after he was snatched, the same as Asheri. The Palesavages can't control themselves.

His simplistic arguments and Israel-bashing arguments demonstrate a lack of self esteem and his inability to capitalize his name is indicative of this feeling of inadequacy. It must make him feel like a big man for a minute as he clicks submit.

Israel is demonstrating that ALL of their people are valued to the highest degree, and that no act of terror and murder will go unchecked. The United States can learn from the swift determination of the IDF that no soldier or civilian will be harmed without severe repercussions. If the US captured did the same in its hunt for bin Laden, not only would he have been caught or killed by now, but the terrorists would know that the US military would hold no punches in its goal to end terror. God Bless Israel!

I agree. This will only encourage more terrorism in the near future by negotiating with such groups.

Marcel,I read yor opinion with a lot of interest.You are absolutely right in your assesment and I weuld agree with you 100%. In the name of the fight against terrorism, Hamas should be destroyed!.

You surely have to be either insane or plain and simple stupid. Israel would never allow a soldier to be kidnapped as an excuse to re-invade Gaza. Why would they pull out in the first place and evict 8,000 people??? Hamas and the Palestinians voting them into power have insured that this would happen. IF they didn't launch Qassams daily there would have been no Israeli attacks and the Palestinian family would not have been killed. Its sad for all concerned, but the Pals bring it upon themselves.

What chronic ailment are you suffering from? Israel will settle scores. Is that what's eating you up? Ynet is being too generous in allowing you to post here.

if only there was a trash in my brain, I would put your comment inside ! So pathetic...

you just tossing unrelated sets o words. Sorry but humans with intact brain don't talk this way.

Israel’s Gaza Operation is put on hold Thursday – according to DEBKAfile’s exclusive sources by a deadlocked dispute between prime minister Olmert and defense minister Peretz The armored forces and tanks which rolled into southern Gaza Tuesday night have been stationary for 24 hours, only directing desultory artillery fire at empty ground in the north. Amir Peretz is blocking a swift and expeditious offensive urged by the prime minister’ Ehud Olmert and the IDF high command to rescue Gilead Shalit, the Israeli corporal kidnapped by Hamas Sunday, June 25, and eradicate the Qassam missile infrastructure. Yet the prime minister is hesitating to pull rank and pass orders to the army over the defense minister’s head Peretz is clinging to a policy of “restraint and diplomacy,” despite the complete breakdown of mediated negotiations in the early hours of the abduction. The prime minister’s office and general command report that no serious diplomatic bid to negotiate the soldier’s release has been floated for 48 hours. None of the intermediaries report progress, even the live wire, Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman. PMO officials and top commanders are furious with the defense minister and take strong exception to his assertion Thursday: “We stand at one of the most significant moments for setting new game rules between us and terrorist elements in the Palestinian Authority.” Terrorism is not a game, they say. Frustration with the defense minister was sensed in the speech delivered by the army chief Lt. Gen Dan Halutz at the passing out ceremony of fighter pilots. “Israeli citizens must never be hostages to rockets and the kidnappings of civilians and soldiers,” he said. “We dare not wait for casualties to justify a defensive operation. When someone wants to kill you, you must kill him first.”

Faced with increasing yet for the most part, impotent attacks from qarram missiles, A military incurrision onto its soil resulting in the ambush and death of 2 soldiers and the kidnapping of a third, The daily condemnation of almost every islamice government, threatsd of chemical and biological warfare, Israel shows restraint of almost miraculous proportions. Asked by Hosni Mubarak to hold off on it's invasion of the north Israel complied wow, good on you guys You've proven to the world once again that you are willing to lay down your weapons for peace, stand ever vigilant and ready to strike with precise and deadly accuracy when forced to but wanting peace at the same time. Good on Mubarak for stepping up to the plate and using his influence to save the life of a single Israeli soldier. I know Mubarak's not only interested in the soldier but what ever his other motives you have to give him credit for his attempt when no other Islamic leader steps forward. Egypt may not be an ally of Israel but they can't be classified as an agitator or aggressor. MY position does not change I do not like muslins at all, men ,women or children. It seems the great great majority only stands up to condemn there fellow muslims guilty of heinous murders and attrocities only when begged to by other leaders. I suspect they then turn around and teach terrible hateful things in their madras. I don't trust them and I have plenty of reasonb not to as does the entire world. Never the less, Mubarak, I applaud your contribution, and to the Jewish military and leadership, your professionalism, patriotism, and skills are unparalled, Shit hot guys, shit hot.

"Except those who believe, work righteousness, engage much in the remembrance of God, and defend themselves only after they are unjustly attacked. And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take! "

i agree. the only difference between wwii and today is: churchil, roosevelt,truman VS olmert, peretz, livni YEAK!!!!!!!!

So the terrorists have more time to boobytrap the no.gaza strip? The dictator of egypt is no friend of Israel and we should not listen to a word he says. He thinks he is some sort of a statesman.How do they treat terrorists in egypt.The death penalty.They do not play games with them like we do.They crack down and kill.