Mr. Noam Shalit is hoping that Hamas leaders in Gaza will see the light, and decide to cut a deal with Israel to lift the embargo on Gaza in exchange for releasing his son Gilad, who in the coming weeks will mark his fourth anniversary in captivity.

With reports emerging from Europe that Israel agreed to a British plan to ease blockade restrictions on Gaza, Mr. Shalit is concerned that such a move would harm ongoing efforts to pressure Hamas into releasing Gilad. Mr. Shalit made his remarks to a conference hosted in the capital attended by parliamentarians visiting from 21 Latin American states.

He detailed ongoing Israeli humanitarian aid to Gaza as Gilad remains in isolation, not even permitting humanitarian visits by the International Red Cross or other minimum gestures. Shalit blames Hamas officials of rejecting the latest proposals put forward by the German mediator who was engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Gaza and Jerusalem.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)