Shalit family: Unique opportunity to free Gilad
Relatives, members of campaign to release kidnapped soldier say issue must be resolved as part of any ceasefire agreement with Hamas
The release of kidnapped Gilad Shalit must be guaranteed in any upcoming ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Headquarters for the Campaign for the Release of Gilad Shalit and the soldier's family said Sunday.
"The Shalit family and the headquarters understand that we are standing in front of a unique opportunity to release him. At a time when all of the capabilities to exert pressure are in our hands (crossings, funds) it is inconceivable to open these crossings to Gaza without Gilad's return being a precondition," the family announced in a statement after a staff meeting of the campaign headquarters.
"We believe that the current Israeli government is working hard in order to fulfill its duty of bringing Gilad home safe and sound, by the end of its tenure. We appreciate the support of the Israeli public, including residents of the south and of IDF soldiers who put themselves in danger during the latest war, and thank everyone for their efforts to support the family in these days," the statement continued.
Regarding recent rumors that Gilad's release was on the verge of being secured, the family said, "We are expectant and cautious at the same time from the things that are appearing in the media."
That being said, earlier Gilad's father Noam Shalit and Hezi Mashita, the chairman of the campaign's headquarters, said that they had not received any concrete information regarding any progress in an agreement to release Gilad.
