The Cabinet of 7 convened on Sunday, but failed to reach a decision regarding the pending prisoner release agreement to bring Gilad Shalit home. Ahead of the cabinet meeting to discuss the relevant points, Mrs. Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s mom, has begun speaking out, along with her husband Noam. The two feel this is most likely the final opportunity to reach an agreement with Hamas to bring their son home alive.

In a Monday morning Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) interview Aviva Shalit made an appeal to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, stating that this is the final opportunity to bring her son home alive, telling the prime minister and his cabinet over the national airwaves that voting against an agreement is tantamount to a “death sentence” for her son. She added Gilad has been sitting in captivity for 1,275 days, and the window of opportunity to bring him home is all but closed.

The inner cabinet of seven is expected to reconvene on Monday afternoon following three meetings on Sunday. Also expected to address the forum are IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi and ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yuval Diskin. This follows a visit to Jerusalem on Sunday by Egyptian Chief of Intelligence General Omar Suleiman, who undoubtedly carried a message regarding the negotiations as well.

According to reports from Jerusalem, Prime Netanyahu remains opposed to the release of “senior terrorists” if they are to return to their homes in PA (Palestinian Authority) autonomous areas in Yehuda and Shomron. He seems to be willing to release them with the provision that they are deported to Hamas-controlled Gaza or to a country abroad.

At present, it appears that Ministers Ehud Barak, Dan Meridor and Eli Yishai favor the agreement, while Ministers Avigdor Lieberman, Moshe Ya’alon and Binyamin Begin remain opposed. This will place the decisive vote in the hands of the prime minister.

President Shimon Peres commented that the forum is about to make a crucial decision, and should be permitted to do so without outside interference, pressure and media leaks.

Mrs. Shalit also announced that a meeting which was set for today with family members and the prime minister was postponed.

UPDATE 1:34PM IL: Emerging from the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Noam Shalit spoke to the press, indicating he just met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. He stated “Prime Minister Netanyahu briefed us on what he was able to” and that was it.

“We came to listen, not to be heard” he explained, stating that he does not anticipate another meeting.

“We are still not optimistic” he concluded, with his wife Aviva at his side.

The Forum of 7 Cabinet is set to meet again today at 4:00pm.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)