According to the head of military intelligence research division, Brigadier-General Yossi Beiditz, the price Israel will have to pay for Gilad Shalit’s release continues to increase as Hamas realizes the strategic value of the soldier held in Gaza since 2006. The senior intelligence officer may his remarks in a briefing to government ministers during Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting.

Beiditz commented on a number of issues, detailing the situation regarding Syria, Iran, Hamas and Gaza.

He explained that Syria has expressed a willingness to enter into mediated talks with Israel to improve Damascus’ image in the West. Damascus is also willing to continue meetings with Turkey acting as an intermediary to assess Israel’s true intentions.

Simultaneously, Syria continues weapons deals with Russia, seeking to arm herself with advanced anti-aircraft systems, as well as playing an active role in cooperating with Iran and arming Hizbullah.

Relative quiet is the term used to describe the Gaza ceasefire, adding intelligence officials are seeing signs that the current situation is “weakening” and “eroding”.

He added that terrorists based in Gaza are still working to perpetrate attacks, citing a recent attempted attack in Yishuv Yitzhar. He added that the terrorists are also interested in perpetrating a suicide bombing attack in addition to continuing weapons smuggling from Egypt into Gaza.

Beiditz stated the military is well-aware that Hamas is using the ceasefire to significantly step-up its training, and has as a result improved and rehabilitated itself as a result of the hiatus in IDF operations in Gaza. There are marked improvements in Hamas’ abilities in urban warfare and sophisticated anti-aircraft systems, he told ministers.

Regarding the Lebanese front, Hizbullah is stronger and also taking advantage of the quiet, training and arming itself in preparation for the next armed conflict with Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)