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Last update - 08:27 15/01/2009 False rumors of Shalit release do not faze family and friends By Jack Khoury Tags: Hamas, Gilad Shalit, Gaza  The family of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit and activists working for his release were forced to contend on Wednesday with a wave of unsubstantiated rumors that Gilad had been released in the course of the IDF operation in Gaza. Family members and members of Friends of Gilad Shalit said they had no new information regarding the soldier's fate. Brig. Gen. (res.) Hezi Meshita, Friends of Gilad Shalit coordinator, said of the rumors, "I wish they were true." Advertisement Friends of Gilad Shalit issued a statement on Wednesday that it remained firm that any cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas must call for Shalit's release. Also on Wednesday, a demonstration held in Tel Aviv by thousands of youths demanded such a cease-fire provision. Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, said the assembled crowd "represent a clear position: that it is unacceptable to today's youth that an entire nation and its leaders are unable to free Gilad." Guy Eliasaf, a friend of the captive soldier, said, "we are fighting in the south, and Gilad probably hears the bombs and thinks the end [to his captivity] is near. The moment the bombing stops, he will understand he has been left behind." Related articles: Gaza offensive clouds chances for Shalit deal IDF chief of staff: Freeing Gilad Shalit is always on the agenda Israeli UN envoy decries Hamas play mocking Gilad Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us   Top target An IAF strike in the center of Gaza City kills Hamas Interior Minister Said Siam. Direct hit Olmert to Ban: Gunmen fired at IDF troops from UN Gaza compound.   1.   Gilad Shalit 06:23  |  DR. N. GOLAN 15/01/09   2.   No Gilad, no ceasefire. Full stop. 08:21  |  Susan 15/01/09   3.   Gilad won`t come back 18:18  |  Eduardo 15/01/09   4.   Gilad is NOT dead 16:50  |  Anonymous 16/01/09

Read & React Hamas vows revenge after IDF kills Gaza Interior Minister Said Sayyam Responses: 55 Harel & Issacharoff: Would a weak Hamas or no Hamas be better in Gaza? Responses: 21 A.B. Yehoshua: An open letter to Gideon Levy on his absurd comparisons Responses: 29 Bradley Burston: In Gaza's shadow / Obama's inaugural message Responses: 11 Palestinian sources: IDF has destroyed the 'Iranian unit' of Hamas Responses: 7 Editorial: Although it's too late, end the war in Gaza now Responses: 8 More Headlines 16:47 Hamas: We will not accept Israel cease-fire demands 16:40 Israel hopeful of entering end game in Gaza offensive 15:58 Pregnant woman hospitalized as rocket hits home in Ashkelon 14:05 Turkish PM Erdogan: Bar Israel from UN over Gaza offensive 15:49 Palestinian killed, IDF soldier hurt in West Bank protest against Gaza operation 09:47 ANALYSIS / Would a weak Hamas or no Hamas be better in Gaza? 13:39 Palestinian sources: Teenager among four killed by IAF in Gaza 13:28 Is Israel using illegal weapons in its offensive on Gaza? 13:40 Hamas vows revenge after IDF kills Gaza Interior Minister Said Sayyam 09:33 Palestinian sources: 'Iran unit' of Hamas has been destroyed 13:43 Ahmadinejad and Meshal make surprise appearance at Gaza summit in Qatar 00:45 PROFILE / Slain Hamas minister was key figure in '07 Gaza coup 09:21 An open letter to Gideon Levy 08:19 Inquiries show Olmert version of UN Gaza vote spat closer to truth than Rice's 08:57 Gideon Levy / Someone must stop Israel's rampant madness in Gaza 05:34 Gaza campaign is war against Amalek, says Chief Rabbi of Safed 08:21 Ari Shavit / Gaza op may be squeezing Hamas, but it's destroying Israel's soul 04:59 Israel using Holocaust guilt to continue Gaza op, says British Jewish MP 13:26 Why is welfare group removing letters to soldiers in Gaza from care packages? 08:56 Rice cautions Israel over IDF shelling of UN facilities in Gaza 05:01 Homeowners still await compensation for Lebanon war damage 13:04 Fugee Fridays / Seeing Tel Aviv through the lens of refugee youth Previous Editions Select Day 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 12 jan 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan

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