Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai stated that if Israel believed it could free Gilad Shalit with a military operation, it would do so. The deputy minister stated on Wednesday that such operations did take place in the past, but now, �we are missing information regarding such a mission�.

Vilnai made his comments in Knesset following a session marking Shalit�s third year in Hamas captivity. He stated that the defense minister is working on Shalit�s release, �day and night�, stating he travels to Cairo and is working towards the soldier�s release.

MK Ofir Pines, who spearheaded the special session stated, �This is a dark day. Who would have believed we would be sitting here three years later speaking about Gilad�s release�.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)