The parents of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit met
with a number of ministers on Monday amid reports of significant progress
in the negotiations for his release as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.
"We did not come here to address the media; this is not the time for chit chat, but for action," Noam Shalit said as he entered the Knesset building accompanied by his wife Aviva and Shimshon Libman, the head of the campaign for the soldier's release.
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"I will say something that will not surprise you. We expect to see Gilad back home after so many years, months, weeks and days," Noam Shalit said prior to his meeting with Minister Yuli Edelstein (Likud).
Noam Shalit also met with Likud ministers Dan Meridor, Gilad Erdan and Yossi Peled, as well as with Minister Stas Misezhnikov of Yisrael Beitenu.
Asked whether the meetings were fruitful, Noam Shalit said, "When we'll see Gilad here I'll be able to say whether they were successful or not."
Earlier Monday, Shalit's parents met with Hagai Hadas, the chief Israeli negotiator in the talks for their son's release.
The meeting, which was held at Tel Aviv's Kirya military base, lasted about two hours. Reporters wishing to speak with the family prior to the meeting were told by Noam Shalit that "now is not the time to talk."
After the meeting concluded, Noam Shalit told reporters: "We cannot speak at the moment, and I have nothing to add. We will share our joy if there is one to share, but I am not at ease."
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into Gaza during a cross-border raid by Palestinian terrorist on June 25, 2006.
Amnon Meranda contributed to the report
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