Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., August 17, 2008 Av 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:24 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Gilad Shalit (Reuters) Last update - 12:00 14/08/2008 Barak: Invasion of Gaza would render Shalit talks impossible By Yuval Azoulay Tags: Hamas, Matan Vilnai  The cease-fire deal with Hamas along the Gaza Strip border has created conditions that facilitate the talks to free abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday. "Had we been involved in a large scale operation in Gaza today there would be no chance of negotiating over Shalit," Barak said on a visit to communities on the Gazan border. "The negotiations... are taking longer than they should. We will have to make difficult decisions to bring Shalit home, but we have a moral and ideological commitment to do so," he said. Advertisement Barak told reporters that Israel must be prepared for the possibility that the ceasefire would collapse, leading to a deterioration that could last days or weeks. He promised to continue pushing for fortifying structures in the southern communities from future rocket and artillery fire. "We stand with you in your struggle with the government. It is the state's duty to take care of the fortification," Barak said. The border communities recently petitioned the High Court of Justice, demanding that the government fortify their buildings and allocate the appropriate funds to do so. Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, who accompanied Barak, assured the communities' heads of the ministry's continued efforts. "By hook or by crook we'll reach the second stage of the fortification plan... despite the prime minister's opposition," he said. The ministry has spent about NIS 1 billion on fortifications for the southern communities, Vilnai said. The rest of the plan is "stuck" for lack of funds, he added. "The entire state is under threat, both in the north and south. We aim to fortify wherever necessary," Barak said. "I believe the government should provide this fortification, as it did in the north for years." The head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, Alon Schuster, expressed his disappointment after Barak and Vilnai's visit, saying that neither had an answer for the residents' plight. Related articles: Israel's U.S. envoy accuses Barak of harming diplomatic mission in the U.S. Kadima MKs hit back at Barak, say he's hysterical, exhausted Barak: We must dedicate each day of Gaza calm to freeing Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Material girl' turns 50 Pop icon and kabbalah enthusiast Madonna celebrates her 50th birthday. Barak vs. The Treasury Defense Minister says budget cuts foolish in light of the threats Israel facing.   1.   What is Barak trying to tell us.....? 08:25  |  Dolly 14/08/08   2.   Genuine peace, rejecting Settlers, sharing Jlm, only answer 08:29  |  Ivar 14/08/08   3.   The liberation of Gilead Shalit. 08:29  |  Jean Van Daem 14/08/08   4.   In what way does Barak believe the Cease-fire is conducive 08:51  |  justiceforall 14/08/08   5.   Cease-fire with Hamas makes Bush look good 10:40  |  isratinian 14/08/08   6.   Shalit may stay Hamas`s prisoner forever 14:20  |  Nora 14/08/08   7.   Barak and Shalit 18:18  |  Hershel 14/08/08   8.   the wimp factor 20:59  |  frenz 14/08/08   9.   Did we negotiate over Israelis kidnapped at Entebbe? 02:50  |  Chaim 15/08/08   10.   #2 Ivar. That only a solution for Israel haters like you. 02:53  |  Chaim 15/08/08   11.   The answer to sderot`s plight is to bring in new brass instead of 16:29  |  blowing in the wind 15/08/08   12.   Shalit talks? 22:39  |  Oggy 16/08/08   13.   Cribbling Gaza Blockade 02:07  |  Eini 17/08/08

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