Speaking to the daily Haaretz, Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father, stated on Saturday that he and other family members are following the IDF operation with a measure of trepidation. He added at present, he does not wish to release a statement to the media while the IDF offensive is taking place. Today, Sunday, is Gilad’s 917th day in captivity. He was taken captive by Hamas in a cross-border attack at Kerem Shalom on June 12, 2006.

Organizations and individuals working towards his release are calling on senior government officials not to consider any cessation of operations in Gaza without a deal that includes the release of Gilad.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)