GAZA CITY, 27 June 2006 — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday ruled out negotiations with the Palestinian captors of an Israeli soldier, rejecting their demand to free jailed women and minors and threatening a “broad and ongoing” military offensive in the Gaza Strip. But even as Israel massed forces along the Gaza border, large-scale military action appeared unlikely. Officials said they were still pursuing a diplomatic solution and conceded an attack would threaten the soldier’s life.
After more than 24 hours of silence, the Palestinians holding Cpl. Gilad Shalit issued their first demand yesterday. The groups, all linked to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, called for the release of all Palestinian women and children under 18 held in Israeli prisons in return for information about Shalit.
Olmert rejected the demand. Addressing Jewish leaders in Jerusalem yesterday evening, Olmert charged that Sunday’s Palestinian attack on an Israeli Army post at a Gaza crossing and the abduction of the soldier were part of a “murderous, hateful, fanatical Islamic extremist desire to destroy the state of Israel.”
He declared, “This is not a matter of negotiations, this is not a matter of bargaining ... release of prisoners is absolutely not on the agenda of the Israeli government.”
Shalit, 19, was seized early Sunday at a military post near the Gaza border by Palestinians who infiltrated into Israel through a tunnel. The attack was the first successful infiltration by Palestinians since Israel withdrew from Gaza in September and immediately threatened to plunge the region into a major flare-up of violence.
Speaking earlier at a tourism conference in Jerusalem, Olmert said he held the entire Palestinian leadership responsible for Shalit’s safety and warned that his patience was wearing thin. “I gave the orders to our military commanders to prepare the army for a broad and ongoing military operation to strike the terrorist leaders and all those involved,” he said. “It should be clear. There will be immunity for no one.”
Military officials said members of elite brigades and armored forces, backed by tanks, were sent to the frontier, where thousands of soldiers already are regularly deployed.
With Israeli intelligence showing that Shalit was not seriously wounded, defense officials said there were no immediate plans for a massive ground incursion. Although Israel frequently carries out air raids in Gaza, ground troops have entered the area only three times — all briefly — since last year’s pullout.
The officials said, however, a limited operation could take place in the coming days. Such operations could include a rescue attempt or a limited mission meant at putting pressure on Hamas to release the soldier.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate who has repeatedly clashed with Hamas, was working intensely with Egyptian mediators as well as Arab and Western leaders, in hopes of locating the soldier.
Abbas met Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh yesterday evening as part of those efforts, Abbas’ office said. No results were announced. Ghazi Hamad, a spokesman for the Hamas government, said he had information Shalit was alive and urged his captors to keep him safe. “I think we are interested in avoiding any confrontation or bloodshed,” he told The Associated Press.
The abduction delivered a blow to Abbas’ efforts to coax Hamas into accepting a plan that implicitly recognizes Israel. Abbas, elected separately last year, has endorsed the plan in the hope of lifting crippling economic sanctions against Hamas and opening the way for new peace talks. Hamad called talk of a split in Hamas “a big lie.” However, he admitted that the political leadership in Gaza was not warned ahead of the assault plans.
The statement demanding the release of young and female inmates — about 500 people in all — was signed by Hamas’ military wing and two offshoots of the small Popular Resistance Committees.
— With input from agencies
