Noam Shalit
Photo: Doronn Golan
Marking Gilad's 21st birthday
Photo: AP
IDF soldier spends second birthday in captivity
Kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit turns 21 while in captivity at hands of Hamas. Shalit’s father says ‘no light at end of tunnel’
The Mitzpe Hila community marked fellow member Gilad Shalit’s 21st birthday Tuesday, his second in captivity since his kidnapping by Hamas on June 25, 2006.
At Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, Gilad’s cousins have set up a “birthday table” offering information on the kidnapped soldier. Throughout the day, they approached passersby, requesting they sign a guestbook and include a birthday wish for Gilad.
Noam Shalit, the kidnapped soldier’s father, told Ynet the guestbook was already filled with signatures and birthday wishes. He also said that letters in support of Gilad continued to arrive at the family’s residence in Mitzpe Hila.
Despite support be fellow citizens, Shalit expressed disappointment in the lack of government support regarding his captured son.
“I no longer see a light at the end of the tunnel. These days, there are no negotiations, no contact with the Palestinians, absolutely no contact between the Israeli government and Gilad’s kidnappers,” Shalit said.
Shalit said he was unaware of the reasons behind freezing the negotiations. He also said he was not in contact with government sources on a regular basis regarding the issue of the captives, and that when he wanted updates, he had to request them.
