Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated he is doing his utmost, citing “day and night efforts” towards bringing IDF soldier Gilad Shalit back home.

Speaking to people in a Ra’anana park the senior minister explained that everything possible is being done, explaining “I want to see Shalit here,” adding that if his efforts are successful, they will demand “painful and heavy decisions”.

In the meantime, Hamas officials deny a Turkish CNN report that states “significant progress was made towards obtaining his release”, adding he may be in the Knesset next week. Hamas denies the accuracy of the report.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)