Gov't sources: IDF has 'no idea' where kidnapped soldier held

By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Jul. 03, 2006

The defense establishment has "no idea" where kidnapped Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit is being held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, government sources in Jerusalem said Sunday night.

This lack of critical information is preventing an IDF rescue operation from being carried out.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will consult on Monday with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and senior commanders in the IDF and Shin Bet domestic security service.

They will discuss the continuation of Operation Summer Rains in the Gaza Strip and possible ways to rescue Shalit.

Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin said earlier Sunday that the kidnapping affair is liable to continue for an extended period of time but added that Hamas understands a live IDF soldier is a valuable asset.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Diskin added that last week's kidnapping of the soldier on the Gaza border was a significant achievement for Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees.

Diskin said Hamas is nevertheless weakening and is paying for its role in the Shalit's abduction with Israeli arrests of its parliamentarians and cabinet ministers.

The affair is a catalyst for new Israeli rules of engagement versus Hamas, Diskin said.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz told the cabinet that military action alone would not secure the release of Shalit from his abductors.

Head of Military Intelligence Amos Yadlin said Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas was surprised by the kidnapping.

Yadlin said, however, that there was no evidence Haniyeh was making efforts to expedite the release of Shalit.