Speaking with President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt on Tuesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Egyptian leader that his country plays a critical role towards obtaining the release of Gilad Shalit.

Shalit, an IDF soldier, has been in Hamas captivity, presumably in Gaza since taken hostage in June 2006.

Mr. Barak also discussed the frequent ceasefire violations by Gazan-based terrorists, who continue to fire rockets and mortar shells into Israel. He stressed the need to maintain the fragile ceasefire; stating Israel will not tolerate violations.

The senior minister also discussed ongoing weapons smuggling from Rafiach into Hamas-controlled Gaza, calling on Egypt to get tougher in its role as the major force responsible for preventing the illegal importation of weapons and ammunition.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)