Noam Shalit: No Light at End of Tunnel

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu today briefed Gilad Shalit’s parents and grandfather on the efforts being made to release the kidnapped Israeli soldier.  Following the meeting, Gilad’s father Noam Shalit was asked by reporters whether he had heard anything new. “Definitely,” he replied. “Work is being done, and we are giving those working on it time to utilize the matter to the fullest.” He added that he could not elaborate.

The meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office lasted about an hour. “We conveyed several messages to the prime minister, one of which was our discomfort over the fact that this is Gilad’s fourth Jewish New Year in captivity,” said Shalit.”Unfortunately,” he added. “We still don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. At the moment we are waiting and hoping for things to happen.”

During the meeting, Netanyahu briefed the family on the progress made in the talks for the kidnapped soldier’s release, but Noam Shalit refused to elaborate on the matter.

“The prime minister stressed and reaffirmed his full commitment to releasing Gilad as soon as possible, and updated us on the relevant things.”

Shalit expressed his appreciation for the work being made on the dialogue channels. “The existing channel is working and we have no claims on this matter,” he said, adding that there was no difference in the family’s feeling before and after the meeting.

The kidnapped soldier’s issue was also raised during Netanyahu’s meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Sunday. During the meeting, Netanyahu thanked Mubarak for his efforts for Shalit’s release.

The Prime Minister’s Office reported that the two leaders had discussed the recent developments in the Middle East and a variety of issues. “The talks were productive and were held in a friendly atmosphere,” the PM’s Office said in a statement.

Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip 1,178 days ago.

{Ynet/Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}