State replies to Shalit's petition against lull; family refuses to pull plea

Prosecutor's Office tells High Court Defense Ministry will keep kidnapped soldier's family up-to-date on progress in talks for his release. Family deems reply insufficient, refuses to pull petition
Efrat Weiss

The State Prosecutor's Office filed on Monday its response to kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit's family's High Court petition against the Gaza ceasefire.

The family filed a motion demanding the court order the State to halt opening the Gaza crossings until such time their son is returned, or they receive concrete assurances that his release in imminent.

Briefing

Shalit meets Amos Gilad, says 'actions more important than sentiments' / Efrat Weiss

Following meeting with Defense Ministry official under court orders, Noam Shalit says family more concerned with State's actions than its concern for his son. Gaza crossings remain closed, for now

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"In accordance to the High Court's order, head of the Defense Ministry's Security-Diplomatic Bureau Major-General Amos Gilad (Res.), met with Noam Shalit on Sunday. The meeting was two hours long and at its conclusion, Maj.-Gen. Gilad promised to periodically brief the Shalit's on any developments made in their son's case," said the State in its response.

"Sentiments are less important to us than actions," said Noam Shalit after the meeting. A security source later defined the meeting as "good."

Following the State's reply, the Shalit family notified the High Court that it will not be pulling the petition and that it wishes the court to hold a hearing in the matter.

The family further petitioned the court to extend it previous order regarding the statue of the Gaza border crossings, which declared they operate in a limited manner, asking it remains unchanged.

Gilad Shalit has been in Hamas' captivity for 729 days.