Senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad on Friday postponed a planned visit to Cairo connected to efforts to obtain the release of Gilad Shalit. According to a report in the daily el-Hayat, the reason stems from growing tensions between Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, partly in connection to this week’s cabinet decision to place Gilad Shalit atop of the government’s agenda, pushing off a ceasefire with Hamas and continuing the blockade on the Hamas-controlled area.

Hamas in Gaza continues to release statements, announcing Israel’s decision will only serve to complicate matters, stating Shalit’s release will not be linked to a ceasefire agreement, demanding Israel halt the blockade and open Gaza crossings.

Hamas also states that it will not agree to anything less than the release of all terrorists on the organization’s list which was presented to Israel in the proposed exchange of terrorists for Shalit.

France has issued a statement supporting Hamas’ position, with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner rejecting Israel’s decision to link the release of Shalit to the opening of Gaza crossings and a ceasefire agreement. France is calling on Israel to move ahead with the Egyptian proposal.

This is most interesting since Shalit is a French citizen, and during a recent meeting with his parents, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated he will do everything possible to assist in obtaining their son’s release.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)