7:12PM IL: After being briefed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Noam Shalit announced that efforts to reach an agreement with Hamas will continue for as long as the current administration continues. Mr. Shalit quoted the prime minister as saying he is not giving up, and will continue until the last moment.

In the meantime, a ministerial committee is being established to investigate way to pressure Hamas into complying with Israel’s calls to free Shalit. The committee consists of Justice Minister Daniel Friedman, Ministers Meir Sheetrit, Chaim Ramon and Rafi Eitan and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz.

Realizing the issue of time, the final days of the current administration, the committee will submit its recommendations to the cabinet by Sunday, which will include comparing the conditions of Hamas prisoners in Israeli prisons to the conditions of Gilad Shalit.

At 8:00PM Tuesday night Israel time, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to make a statement to the nation pertaining to Shalit.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)