Barak says truce gives Shalit talks a chance
On 800th day since soldier was kidnapped by Hamas, defense minister says he hopes negotiations for his release will be resumed soon, this time under embargo. 'Not one day goes by without me thinking about him,' Barak adds
"The ministerial committee is working to relax the criteria (for a prisoner release)," Barak said while touring an IDF artillery base in southern Israel. "This is also important for Shalit's release. Not one day goes by without me thinking about him and without us working on this issue, which is at the core of our responsibility."
Barak visited the base in order to closely monitor the live ammunition training held by the IDF more frequently than in the past. Accompanied by his military secretary, deputy chief of staff and commander of the GOC Army Headquarters, he met with soldiers and commanders and examined new means to be used by the artillery unit.
Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense Ministry
"We are in the midst of a comprehensive training effort in to have a fit IDF," the defense minister said. "Our aim is to draw lessons from the recent Lebanon war. This huge training effort is led by the chief of staff and backed by me.
"This training session today is the first of its kind in seven years," Barak concluded. "The goal of this training is to turn the IDF into an army which can meet any challenge facing the State of Israel in the future, to turn it into a victorious army."
Barak also confirmed that Israel recently foiled attempts to kidnap Israelis abroad. He reiterated the warning against visits to Sinai, stating that "we have a responsibility as Israelis in the world these days."
