Members of kidnapped soldier’s Armor Corps platoon hear his voice for first time in a year. ‘I hope that by the time we’re released he will be with us,’ one of them says
“Hearing Gilad’s audio message almost
brought tears to my eyes,” said Monday Idan Cohen, who was a sergeant in the kidnapped soldier’s Armor Corps platoon.
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Cohen, now a staff sergeant in the IDF reserves, said he received many phone calls from fellow platoon members after the release of the tape on Hamas’ website earlier in the day.
“I’m still in shock and need some more time to process it, but I hope it’s a good sign that will lead to Gilad’s release,” he told Ynet.
'I knew he was alive'
Shalit’s army buddies, who are currently securing the Israel-Gaza border, are counting the days until they are dismissed from duty in the summer of 2008.
“I hope that by the time we’re released he will be with us,” one soldier said.
Another soldier said hearing Shalit’s voice after a year of silence gave him “chills”.
“It sounded as if someone was reading something off a page, but it was his voice,” he said. “Hearing his voice after such a long time – it’s not easy.”
However, Staff Sergeant (res.) Tomer Shterker, another former fighter in Shalit’s brigade, was less optimistic regarding the prospects for Shalit’s release.
“We have to be honest – I cannot be pleased with the release of the tape,” he said. “I knew he was alive, there was never a doubt in my mind. I don’t think this tape will lead to something.”
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