Once you succumb to negotiations, you can never negotiate again. Even if Israel releases only 1000 criminals this time, it's only a matter of time before they kill 2 more soldiers and kidnap another. And this whole story starts over again, only next time they'll ask for 2000 criminals. This will never end. A better alternative will be to recommend Israel will gesture with good measures and release criminals with blood on their hands over time, if Gaza is kept quiet and Hamas drops their militant behavior. I suggest Israel basically finds out where Gilad is located, surround the area and clean it up. Hopefully Gilad is found alive and well.

Clearly this article gives 'aid and comfort to the enemy'. Noam, stay home.

When Israel makes exchanges that are unequal, it is only natural for Israel’s enemies to view the illegal kidnapping of Israeli civilians and soldiers, and the violation of their legal rights in captivity, as an extremely profitable activity. Furthermore, because Israel eschews the death penalty, Israel keeps terrorists alive in Israeli custody and thereby inadvertently creates a “bait” situation where terrorist groups attempt to free their men by ransoming newly-kidnapped Israelis. More at : http://xrl.us/kj6sj

the fact that Gilad Shalit has not been returned home, having been protecting his country and people while on Israeli soil when abducted by people who came from a region whose official authorities (PA) are observers at the UN. He was abducted by people who are members of the Arab League of States. And he, being a human being, was abducted by people daily protected by the International Red Cross, but when it comes to this true human being - but Jewish - the International Red Cross does nothing, not even to visit him. How cynical the world be...??!!

You suggest Israel basically finds out where Gilad is located? WOW!! they probably never thought of that. The fact is dear Daniel, no-one but no-one knows where he is. They have enough informers who are paid very well for information, and still, no-ones knows where our boy is being kept.

No more exorbitant gifts for dead bodies. Before a single prisoner is released as ransom for him they need to prove he is alive and well.

Every Israeli wants our kid back! However, if we just look at the debacle of the release of Samir Quntar, the brutal murderer of the Harans, the monster who smashed in the head of a little girl, and now a national hero in the Arab World and a danger to the security of our little land, do 69% of Israelis really want to secure the release of Gilad at any price? Who was polled? Where any of you Talkbackers polled? I certainly wasn't! Who did they poll, Arabs, Peace Now! activists who will give the whole country away and send us back to Auschwitz? Meretz card holders who will help Peace Now! Maybe they polled Shas and Agudat Israel? As for an operation, our armchair generals seem to have forgotten the Nachshon Waksman incident in which he was killed and an officer died in the attempt. Noam Shalit and his constant attacks on the Government, past and present, is doing more damage to the Gilad cause. He is playing into the hands of Hamas and he is causing division among Israelis. I do not blame him for raising the roof but Olmert, Livni, Netanyahu or Barak DID NOT kidnap Gilad! Gilad was kidnapped because of complacency and a lack of discipline in his unit. If Noam Shalit wants to yell, let him yell at Obama the appeaser, Brown, Sarkoszy who failed Gilad in double dealing with Egypt, Mubarak, King Abdullah and the rest of the world which kowtows to the Muslims! Do this Noam, and we will all be with you but stop attacking Israel and Israelis!

population will be guilty of murder the next time one of these released terrorists kills. sorry,gilad's life is not worth more than mine. you release a murderer or stand idle when one kills it is as if you did the killing yourself. why do we call ourselves Jews if we cant even understand BASIC laws?!?!

Until we see him WALK across the border from Gaza into Israel - not ONE prisoner should be freed. NOT ONE SINGLE PRISONER - and if, ter ter ter, our little soldier is no longer alive, well we should make a policy of shooting an Arab prisoner every day. We behaved as friarim before! released vile blood thirsty prisoners for two dead bodies.

Let's be honest, Israel is a mess. It thinks too Jewish. While convicted terrorists in Israeli jails (see Marghouti), get life terms, instead of the hangman's noose, AND may be released per some "deal", Israelis approve releasing people who, they know, will resume their killing of Jews. Bottom LIne: Israel has no real effective policy WHEN a soldier or civilian is taken captive.A nation cannot be held captive caus someone is kidnapped. I understand the feelings...but Hamas and Hez are playing this for all it's worth..at Israel's expense. Get it.

peace. Until then, we are busy. Let the boy wonder try to bring him home.

We must worsen the conditions of Hamas prisoners. They get fat in our jails. They get an education, Tv, newspapers, books, cigarettes and visits from their family. What does Gilad get? We must protest and insist on them receiving worse conditions.

I have been praying that Gilad Shalit will be released since the day of his capture. I believe that the Lord God of Israel watches over him and am trusting Him for Gilad's safe return

Or do you even have a son in the amy. Loser!

I am an Israeli and I am not ready to pay a high price for returning Gilad Shalit. I think that the Israeli position in this issue must not be dictated by a family made egoist and irresponsible by their personal suffering. The slogan "Free Gilad for any price" is just saying "Help us to murder many more Israelis". It would be just fair to print this sentence on their T-shirts.

I also think that he wouldnt be kidnapped if you haven't kidnapped 7000 prisoners......7000....are you kidding me....Gilad should never be able to go back home unless ATLEAST 1000 pali prisoners are released....and oh if you dont like it, atleast us arabs will have 2 egotistical books to write about, ron arad & gilad. Lebanese 4 life

came from the states and is an OFFICER NOW! and frankly when the shalit's value their son's life over mine or my family or YOU then yes, to hell with them!!!!!!

The Palestinian prisoners are terrorists who have been tracked down and caught by the IDF or Israeli police. They are convicted terrorists; many of them have blood on their hands. Their imprisonment is perfectly legal, and if they had committed the same crimes in any other country they would be in jail there. Tell me, Arab Observer, if Arab terrorists in Dubai were killing innocent people, wouldn't you want the Government of the UAE to imprison them? Gilad Shalit, on the other hand, was illegally abducted, by Hamas operatives who illegally entered the State of Israel, and are holding in hostage in a blatant violation of international law.

"to hell with them"? That is so cruel. I pray that your little sister will never be kidnapped and stuckin a dark hole for 3 years. If she were, I would never ever say to hell with you. Hard to believe these words were said. I would not even say them to an enemy prisoner's family-being that he did not murder anyone.

the prisoners here are terrorists these words would not come easy to me to say that someone deserves pain and misery! Where is decency?

neither would my sister! so yes they say to hell with my life i say to hell with them!!!! this is a test and they FAILED!!!!!!!

.11 AND .12 that is the whole point of hostage taking, undermining the system, creating conflict between citizens. Making the government look powerless and society either weak or heartless for the price that must be or not be paid. It is their right as citizens and ex-service men to ask for the government to release their son. Is the government wrong or right, no one can say because the terrorists ask for a price that is two high. I will release the hostages then bomb the tunnels, close the crossing and KIA that amount of people. I don't care what anyone says or the UN.

when you learn to love others more than yourself you will understand. Maybe when you become a parent. Your parents did an awful job BTW My kids, all of whom served, would risk their lives to try save or rescue him.

read carefully- I wrote unless they are murderers