Olmert: Not optimistic on Shalit
Speaking at Conference of Presidents gathering, prime minister puts damper on prospects of abducted IDF soldier's release, stresses that IDF has 'free hand' in Gaza and will hit anyone who attacks Israel
"Unfortunately, I cannot share the optimism regarding Gilad Shalit," Olmert said.
According to recent report, a deal that would secure the release of Shalit, abducted by Hamas in June 2006, was drawing closer to completion. However, Olmert's speech seemed to put a damper on the prospects for the kidnapped soldier's release.
Turning his attention to a recent report by German weekly Der Spiegel regarding the possibility that IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, abducted by Hizbullah, will be declared dead, Olmert said that as long as Israel does not have any proof, it will continue to assume the two reservists are alive.
'Free hand in Gaza'
Meanwhile, Olmert pledged Sunday that the IDF will hit anyone who attacks Israel, especially the Hamas rulers of Gaza. The prime minister said the IDF has a "free hand" to operate in Gaza.
"We will reach anyone involved in perpetrating terrorism against Israelis, and we will not hesitate to attack them in order to stop them," he said. ”That applies to everyone, first and foremost Hamas. Hamas is in charge of Gaza."
Olmert also said he will make every effort to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians this year. He said the subject of Jerusalem will be the last item on the agenda, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to that.
Olmert said one possibility is signing a declaration of principles, but insisted a peace accord cannot be implemented unless "terror is stopped completely from Gaza."
"I will not hesitate to make every painful compromise that is needed to bring true and genuine peace," Olmert said.
