Peretz: Whoever harms soldier will pay heavy price

After Palestinians kidnap IDF soldier, defense minister warns all elements involved that if hostage comes to harm, ‘they will understand the price of such acts is painful'

Avi Cohen
Published: 06.25.06, 18:26 / Israel News

Defense Minister Amir Peretz severely threatened the terrorists responsible for the kidnapping of an IDF soldiers Sunday, saying, “I want to inform all who are involved, anyone who has hand or foot in the soldier’s welfare, in our view, anyone that brings harm to the soldier, should know that his blood is on his own head and on the heads of his leaders.”

Hostage

Kidnapped soldier identified as Gilad Shalit / Avi Cohen

Chief of IDF Personnel Directorate visits western Galilee home of Gilad Shalit, the soldier who was kidnapped during attack on IDF outpost near south Gaza. Family friend: Gilad is a charming boy, he likes to help his family and friends out; we hope everything will end peacefully’

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Peretz was speaking at a special briefing he assembled at his office at the government campus in Tel Aviv.

Peretz: Response to such acts will be 'painful'

“We intend to respond to this morning’s incident in a way that all those involved, who made a pact in this attack against the State of Israel, will understand that the price from such acts will be painful. If things don’t change, it could be painful sevenfold.”

Peretz clarified, “We are activating all the tools available to us. There will be additional, supportive activities, to the military action, and I hope that after the Cabinet meeting we will be able to announce our plans.” The security cabinet is slated to meet Sunday evening to discuss the difficult incident and potential solutions to gaining the release of the kidnapped soldier.”

Halutz: We were caught off guard

Earlier, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz assembled a special press conference at Kibbutz Kerem Shalom and reported that, “As far as is known to the IDF, officials in the Palestinian organizations involved in the attacks told Palestinian media that “the operatives are giving medical attention to the kidnapped soldier with the aim to use him as a bargaining chip to negotiate the release of security prisoners. They said the soldier was severely wounded.”

At the press conference, Halutz stressed that “the Palestinians are responsible for the fate of the kidnapped soldier, and we will do everything possible to return him. There is no doubt that it caught us – in certain aspects – off guard and without any warning.”

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