Israel: Free hostage and we will halt Gaza strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his Cabinet today that Israel’s offensive in Gaza would end immediately if Palestinian militants were to release the Israeli soldier they captured.
“I take personal responsibility for what is happening in Gaza. I want no one to sleep at night in Gaza. I want them to know what it feels like,” Olmert was quoted as saying about Israel’s air and ground offensive in the coastal strip.
“If the soldier is released, the military activity that began with the kidnapping will stop,” said the official, who attended the meeting.
Israeli air and artillery attacks began shortly after Cpl Gilad Shalit, 19, was captured on June 25 by militants affiliated with the Palestinians ruling Hamas party who tunnelled under the border and attacked an Israeli military post.
As part of the invasion, thousands of Israeli ground troops also entered the strip for the first time since Israel pulled out of Gaza nine months ago.
Olmert said Israeli forces were going out of their way to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, and that he had called off strikes in areas where there was a chance civilians could be hurt.
