(AKI) - Israel on Monday questioned media reports that suggested kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit had been injured in an airstrike on the Gaza Strip. Egyptian television reported on Sunday night that Shalit was injured in one of the Israeli Air Force strikes in Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Force released a statement on Monday saying that "Gilad Shalit is a valuable asset for Hamas. We believe it will do everything to keep him alive." "The IDF holds Hamas responsible for everything that happens to Gilad Shalit," the statement said.
Since Operation Cast Lead began on Saturday, senior IDF officials have been in contact with the Shalit family, and warned them that Hamas might try to use their son in the psychological warfare, Israeli media reported. "We had expected that Hamas would try to use Gilad as part of their political manipulations," Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai reportedly told Army Radio. "We take Gilad into account in every action we take in Gaza, his situation is a consideration," Vilani said. "I believe the less we talk about this matter, the better." |