There is no greater anguish than not knowing the fate of a loved one when in danger. More so for all these many weeks. I am certain millions are waiting for the release of these young men. With world opinion pointing the finger of guilt at Hezbollah it would be an olive branch to us all should these men be released early.

The Israeli government don't know whether these young men are alive, because the terrorists never allowed the Red Cross to visit. Olmert believed the terrorists who said they were alive, but this ploy has been used before, if anyone remembers Ron Arad. It's time for this very weak government to go. They're not prepared to stand up for Israel's rights at the UN, and Olmert agreed to the new UN resolution WITHOUT consulting the cabinet, nor asking Cheney or Rumsfeld who'd advised against the resolution as it stands - but Olmert listened to Rice who represents the Arabist State Department! If Israel wants to survive - Olmert and Kadima have to go. Get the kidnapped soldiers back in one piece - and make the resolution CONDITIONAL on that point!

We may not find out what he told the parents of these soldiers but, it is evident he publically made a lot of empty promises to the public.."No cease fire without the release of the kidnapped soldiers".... And what of Gilad Shalit? What is happening on the Gaza front? Olmert must not be allowed ot remain in office. If he cannot deliver, he needs to shut up and get out! Pray for the safe return of these soldiers and may hashem protect all who are fighting this proxy war for US interests.

I know the Arabs like to weep on about their beloved olive groves. But the only thing these Hezbos and Nasrallah use olive branches for is to flagellate themselves bloody when practising their peace-loving religion. They kill more of themselves at these insane religious rites every year than they have Israelis. And they get a kick out of it.

He does not care enough to damand it as a part of the ceasefire agreement. No.

I totally agree with the fact that answers should be provided regarding the release of the soldiers from captivity. I pray to G-d that they are still alive, but in any case, the families should receive them back - hizballah should release them! ...after all, that was part of the premise for the initial retaliation, so nothing should be slipped through any cracks!!!

Trust the guy, he started the war because of the kidnapping. And he will get them back, somehow, the way you people do.

Why has Olmert allowed so many Jews to be killed if not for the release of the kidnapped soldiers? Olmert has to be replaced, immediately.

And in Iraq, the Muslim terrorists have killed more Iraqi Muslims than they have coalition "infidels." Every religion has its extremists, but it in Islam it seems that they aren't just a fringe element and instead comprise a huge chunk. And the supposedly rational ones are mute in the face of the radicals. They can bleat pathetically all they want about how Islam is a peaceful religion, but until they start down a course of deep self-examinationand self-critique, things aren't going to get better -- not for them and certainly not for us. I don't understand enough about Israeli politics to comment on Olmert or the current leadership, but since the soldiers' capture is what precipitated this war, ending it without their return is untenable. I feel terrible for their families.

Olmert claimed this fiasco of a war was to get back the kidnapped soldiers and that there would be no ceasefire without their return. Those who know anything about the prior MIAs, and there are several, know that the chances now of the return of these new kidnapped soldiers is virtually nil. Olmet sold out these families; Olmert lied. The only honorable thing to do is for Olmert to resign.

First of all does anyone really expect the Hezbollah to honor the ceasefire??? Remember deals OFF if the Hezbollah doesn't honor it. Olmert may just have an ACE up his sleeve.

Maybe Israel could swap Hezbollah and Hamas the three soldiers for Olmert, Livni and Peretz?

how many soldiers died for what?

so you people really thought this war was about those two captive soldiers?! That this war took half a hour of planning and boom...there we go; let's bring back our soldiers by distroying the whole country of Lebanon?! My God...what a awakening! Not only you loose a war, but you loose face and faith in your gvt... let's see....i even bet you those two soldiers will be freed only in terms of an exchange of prisonners... and I thought mighty Israel wanted to desarm Hizbollah and vowed not to negotiate with "terrorists"... and now it's agreed on a resolution that doesnt disarm Hizbollah and doesn't talk about the "captives"! Shame, shame, shame... I can only laugh and say...we've told you so!

Inside I cry to the LORD that He will comfort you no matter what happens . But if there be anyway that He sees rightly to intervene and save your child I beg Him to HIs glory that it would be done.

Hezbollah is syaing Isreal is so cruel to their people. Yet they steal two young men from out of another country,start a war,setup their own people for distruction and to further insult everyones intelligence won't give them boys back.

olmert must step down

After this feeble and shaky knee exhibit of virtually no resolve, Israel has now opened the gates, and embolden her old enemies. The U.S. offered an open door to kick ass (Hizbulla) and take back Lebanon. Russia, Syria and Iran was measuring tactical capability and military resolve of the Israeli people. Even now they prepare for the real battle and Israel won’t have a UN resolution to save them. Quickly defeating Hizbulla and squaring off with Syria would have set the time clock back. Next time, and sooner then Israel may think, it’s going to be nuclear and they’ll be stamped made in Russia and Iran. Political ideologists (dreamers), like Olmert, Chirac, Blair, and yes even Bush, are going to destroy you! You need look no farther then Afghanistan and Iraq and fruits of their political pipe dreams and failed war.

We will deal with Olmert / Kadima as soon as is democratically possible. This man and his party have been as incompetent as they could be in such a short amount of time in power. This is Arik Sharon's legacy. The man who brought us the dangerous situation we have in Gaza now, put all these people where they are today and the result is clear.

Don't assume that government with ask for them back, make it a requirement. This government is weak and has hindered the army in this war, costing more lives. Fight and Push the media to get them back.

will be forgotten as Ron Arad was! Unless of course Israel is willing to bow to Hizbollah terms of freeing all terrorists it ever captured in the past!

This was the biggest waste of time and life that I have seen. Our whole reason for going into Lebanon was to get the release of our soldiers. What have we achieved?, nothing. I actually voted for Olmert and regret it so much. I live in central Israel and am terrified that he is going to be able to give back the West Bank, then we will also be in firing range. Then it will not only be the north and the south but also the east achieiving the A-rabs policy of driving us into the Sea (where else could we go) if they are firing from all sides. Omert must go, Peretz needs to go and as for Peres quote " We have won" pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!. I just hope that we do have something up our sleeve, as I would hate to believe that we have turned into a weak and pathetic country, for g-d's sake we our fighting for our right to exist.

TO ALL U WHO KNOW THE ANSWERS AND SINCE THE WAR STARTED WITH BIG WORDS AND LITTLE ACTION..THE ONES WHO ARE GETTING IT ON THE HEAD EVERYDAY ARE US IN THE NORTH... IF ALL OF THIS WAS DONE AT THE BEGINNING THEN 32 DAYS LATER WE COULD SAY, MAYBE, WE ACHIEVED SOMETHING, BUT TO COMMENCE THE REAL BATTLE 2 DAYS BEFORE CEASEFIRE...I AM TRULY SORRY BUT I CANT SPEND ANOTHER WEEK, MONTH IN THE SHELTERS WITH MY KIDS, U DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT DAMAGE IT DOES TO ONES HEALTH, AND THE KIDS THEMSELVES ARE AFFECTED. NO WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AFTER THIS IS ALL OVER, AND MAKE THOSE ACCOUNTABLE EXPLAIN WHAT THEIR MODUS OPERENDI. THE RETURN OF THE CAPTIVES CAN BE GAINED HOPEFULLY AFTER CEASEFIRE..THERE IS NO NEED TO LOSE MORE ISRAELI SOLDIERS. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT LETS GET THINGS INTO PROPORTIONS HERE..I AM LOSING MY FRIENDS DAILY..OVER 2 SOLDIERS THAT CUD HAVE RECVD THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, I CANT LIVE ANOTHER DAY IN THE SHELTERS AND I DONT WANT TO SEE ANY MORE BLOOD SHED.. I WORRY MORE WHETHER ALL OF THIS PROCRASTINATION HAS HAS TARNISHED IDF'S IMAGE.

Olmert and Peretz should resign as soon as possible. This should be a lesson for all Israelis. Vote: Likud!

and has endangered us more seriously than ever by setting a precedent. Things will get a lot worse than sitting in a shelter for a month (#25). It's only a question of time. You can imagine the sort of situation that would be required for the massive teshuva of the Jewish nation.

When Israel stated up until last week, no cease fire until the soldiers were released, I really admired his courage. Now I mourn for the soldiers families that had such faith in their government and knew that their sons would be returned to them. I mean this is what started the war, but it did not end the war. As far as I am concerned, Israels soldiers and their citizens died in vain. For nothing. Olmert spoke tough and acted the role, but in the end he let his country down. I am sorry for the people of Israel. Olmert just opened the doors to more Arab attacks because they now know that you have a government that will cut and run. God bless Israel and God bless the people that lost family members and loved ones in vain.

Being a lebanese christian, i was astonished seing the defeat, unplanning, dis organised and the futile attempts of a hugh army that I had in thaught. After couple of years of organising than deffinitely it will be much harder for israel. If you can't kill your enemy don't hurt, he will be more dangerous. Next time tel aviv is the target deffinitely.