Peretz: We'll do everything to bring back soldier
Defense minister meets with comrades of Gilad Shalit from armored battalion 'to send message that the State of Israel stands behind you and behind your commanders.'
"I came here to send you a message that the whole of the State of Israel, all of the ranks, stand behind you and your commanders, and I plan to do everything so that you receive what a soldier at this time needs in order to carry out his mission," Peretz said.
He was addressing soldiers from the 71st Armored Battalion, who this week lost two comrades during the Palestinian attack in Kerem Shalom, while another soldier, Gilad Shalit, has been kidnapped.
Members of the Desert Patrol Brigade, who led the battle against the terrorists near Kerem Shalom, also participated in the talks with the defense minister.
The defense minister praised the IDF forces' activities despite the difficult outcome. "There was an incident, its outcomes were difficult, but I can say clearly that everything that was supposed be done by the commanders and soldiers on the ground was carried out in the best way and I want everyone one of you to feel supported at this time. You should know that the mission facing you can be very complex, and therefore you should feel that you did the maximum to bring the best possible results," he said.
"You are working in conditions that are not simple and I'm sure that everyone sitting here is worried about the fate of your comrade who was kidnapped. I want you to know that we are doing everything, in every possible way. We have no intention of letting any organization or any person feel he can get away with harming a soldier," Peretz stated.
'Missions will decide fate'
"I want to strengthen you and to tell you that the missions you are carrying out will decide the fate of the State of Israel for many years. Know that we are activating the whole of the international community, diplomatic sources, and anyone necessary to send an unequivocal message, and to do everything to bring your comrade home," the defense minister added.
Against the backdrop of the disagreement between the Shin Bet and the IDF on the readiness for attacks on the Kerem Shalom area, IDF officials presented the defense minister with the facts on the state of readiness of the Southern Division and the Gaza division in light of the warnings before the attack on the army post.
The investigation shows that on the eve of the attack the IDF significantly beefed up its forces in the Kerem Shalom area, and many forces placed in the area had the job of watching the entire region and preventing a penetration of terrorists into Israeli territory.
According to the emerging picture, despite the difficult results, the Southern Division and the Gaza Division prepared for the warnings at a level that was meant to thwart a potential attack.
However, sources in the IDF admit that the outcome is what is counted, but add that the full picture should be looked at.
The sources refused to confirm or deny the claim of a spreading out of IDF forces on the night of the attack due to the fact that "this is an operational issue."
