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Olmert OKs military operations
03/07/2006 22:47 - (SA)
Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave the green light on Monday for the army to keep up operations in Gaza aimed at releasing an Israeli soldier, regardless of an ultimatum from his captors, said army radio.
Olmert and defence minister Amir Peretz gave the go-ahead after consultations on Monday evening, said the report.
Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip early last Wednesday in response to the soldier's abduction, moving in tanks and troops.
It has been pounding the territory with air strikes for the past six nights.
Justice minister Haim Ramon warned of even-stronger repercussions if any harm came to the 19-year-old corporal, Gilad Shalit, who also holds French nationality.
'The sky will fall'
"If, God forbid, they should hurt the soldier, our operations will be far, far worse," Ramon told Israeli television.
"The sky will fall on their heads if they dare to harm Gilad Shalit, and these words must be followed to the letter," said Ramon.
"Anyone who is implicated in terrorism must pay for this."
Earlier in the day, Israel army chief Dan Halutz vowed that Israel would not be blackmailed by militant captors, who set a deadline of 06:00 (03:00 GMT) on Tuesday for Israel to release "1 000 Palestinian, Arab and Muslim prisoners".
The three groups did not specify their plan of action, but warned that after the deadline they would "consider the matter closed and the enemy will be responsible for all results".
The statement was signed by the Popular Resistance Committees, the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement and the Army of Islam.
Sending a clear message
Israel has steadfastly refused any negotiations with Shalit's captors.
"Giving into hostage demands may be a short-term fix, but in many ways it is a mirage," foreign ministry spokesperson Mark Regev told CNN.
"It is important to send a clear message to terrorists that if they take hostages, there will be nothing in it for them."
- AFP
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