The National Security Cabinet will convene at 8:30am to give approval to Ehud Olmert’s position, refusing to move ahead with any ceasefire agreement without the release of Gilad Shalit. He move enjoys the support of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and others, in agreement the pressure against Hamas is critical to compel Shalit’s release.

Other ministers are opposed or undecided to the proposed plan, including Defense Minister Barak and Ministers Friedman, Dichter, Herzog and Ramon.

The cabinet members at the Wednesday meeting will not discuss the list of terrorists presented for release by Hamas, which also requires cabinet approval.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)