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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (Daniel Bar-On / Jini) Last update - 23:25 17/02/2008 PM downplays optimism over imminent Shalit deal By News Agencies Tags: Israel, Hamas, Ehud Olmert  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday played down optimism that a deal for the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit was imminent, as reported by media outlets earlier in the day. Speaking in Jerusalem at a gathering of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, Olmert said: "I can't share in the optimism I saw in the media today," he said. "We are doing everything in our power to get him back." Shalit was kidnapped by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid in June 2006. Advertisement Olmert also denied a report published in the German political magazine Der Spiegel on Saturday which maintained that hewas planning to officially declare as dead the two IDF reservists abducted by Hezbollah in July 2006. "I am operating under the basic assumption that the abducted soldiers [Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev] are alive, because there is no evidence to the contrary," Army Radio quoted the prime minister as saying. PM: IDF will hit anyone who attacks us In his address to Jewish leaders, Olmert pledged that the Israel Defense Forces would hit anyone who attacks Israel, especially Hamas. Olmert said he would not allow a humanitarian crisis to develop in Gaza, but the people of Gaza could not live normal lives while Israelis across the border were constantly targeted by rockets. The prime minister said Israel's military has a "free hand" to hit Gaza militants. "We will reach out for anyone involved in perpetrating terrorism against Israelis, and we will not hesitate to attack them in order to stop them, he said. That applies to everyone, first and foremost Hamas." Olmert also said he would make every effort to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians this year. He has said the subject of Jerusalem would be the last item on the agenda. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to Olmert's suggestion, and is set to meet the prime minister Jerusalem on Tuesday. Olmert said one possibility for an imminent agreement is signing a declaration of principles, but insisted a final peace accord could not be implemented unless terror was stopped completely from Gaza. "I hope the negotiating part of the basic principles can still be achieved in 2008," he said. He added that waiting longer would encourage more radical elements among the Palestinians, especially Hamas. "I will not hesitate to make every painful compromise that is needed to bring true and genuine peace," he said, while refusing to compromise on Israeli security. He said the current Palestinian leadership was committed to peace with Israel like no Palestinian leadership before, warning that if the effort fails, no future Palestinian regime would be as willing to make peace. Related articles: IDF soldier seriously wounded in southern Gaza Strip Ministerial forum approves plan to fortify 8,000 Gaza-area homes UN humanitarian chief visits Sderot, condemns Qassam rocket fire French FM says peace progress evident, retracting earlier remarks Bookmark to del.icio.us   Independence day Kosovars rejoice as Kosovo declares itself an independent and sovereign state. Settling the score 1/3 of W. Bank settlements are on Palestinian land seized for 'security purposes.'   1.   We are in a war between civilizations. 20:59  |  Jean Van Daem 17/02/08   2.   There are bombing Israel, and you are doing NOTHING!!! 21:17  |  John 17/02/08   3.   Ehud Olmert The Idiot 21:19  |  Norman F Birnberg 17/02/08   4.   Hamas will try to torpedo any progress between Olmert and Abbas 21:23  |  Conroy 17/02/08   5.   They`ll attack anyone who doesn`t attack Israel too! 21:29  |  POP 17/02/08   6.   Show "no sign of weakness" 21:29  |  Kevin 17/02/08   7.   I feel your pain 21:42  |  Ehud Olmert 17/02/08   8.   Norman (#3) = Correct ! 21:44  |  Tod Zuckerman 17/02/08   9.   Olmert, do Palestinians lead ordinary lives? 21:49  |  Ben Alofs 17/02/08   10.   Save Sderot - END THE OCCUPATION 21:54  |  Aseel Al Dallal 17/02/08   11.   Excuse me, but since when have Gazans lived "normal lives"? 21:56  |  peacelover 17/02/08   12.   Save Sderot - END THE OCCUPATION (Part 2) 21:58  |  Aseel Al Dallal 17/02/08   13.   Funny Olmert... READ 22:01  |  Jason 17/02/08   14.   ordinary lives 22:02  |  Shmuelshachor 17/02/08   15.   10 Aseel al Dalal,I agree with your sentiments that all are equal 22:13  |  lakshmi 17/02/08   16.   SAVE HUMANITY, END ISRAEL 22:23  |  WOWAWEEWA 17/02/08   17.   Olmert vows IDF will hit anyone who attacks Israel 22:29  |  Steve 17/02/08   18.   I,ts about time Mr Olmert. 22:34  |  richard 17/02/08   19.   To Shmeulshachor 22:37  |  Aseel Al Dallal 17/02/08   20.   IF I WAS HAMASS, I`D KEEP SHOOTING ROCKETS 22:40  |  Jewish doctor 17/02/08   21.   WRONG TARGET- hit the leadership not the pawns 22:44  |  dav zee 17/02/08   22.   Washington decides for Olmert..!..WHY ?? 22:48  |  Stephen. 17/02/08   23.   rushing to peace with abbas 22:59  |  marcel 17/02/08   24.   to Aseel 00:25  |  Ty 18/02/08   25.   Schmuelschacor 00:30  |  Ty 18/02/08   26.   PM Olmert says will respect human shields 00:40  |  Dr. Aaron Lerner 18/02/08   27.   To #10 and 12, Aseel Al Dallal 00:44  |  Matt 18/02/08   28.   The Final Ultimatum 00:48  |  NowOrNever 18/02/08   29.   Who chose that nasty picture of Olmert? 00:54  |  LooseCannon 18/02/08   30.   WE GOT OUT OF GAZA & YOU STARTED SHOOTING 01:08  |  michelle 18/02/08   31.   I wonder if he knows "Putting on the Ritz" 01:10  |  Gideon Reader 18/02/08   32.   oh and john, we`re not *doing nothing* 01:12  |  Michelle 18/02/08   33.   Olmert look like he is playing the starring role in H.S. Musical 01:38  |  :) 18/02/08   34.   Support the Palestinian Third Way Party, they are a more sincere 01:48  |  group for Peace. 18/02/08   35.   Gilad Shalit, with all that is wrong in the world, we still hope 02:01  |  for your return. 18/02/08   36.   If this deal fails Olmert should resign, He`s useless 02:23  |  Shepherd 18/02/08   37.   When Palestinian people chose Hamas, they chose death 05:16  |  Voice of Reason 18/02/08   38.   #16 Agreed 06:53  |  Kaab 18/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Anti-Zionism as a form of racism Responses: 27 Anshel Pfeffer: Is Israel risking the lives of Jews elsewhere? Responses: 5 Akiva Eldar: Negotiate over Jerusalem now Responses: 5 Report: Progress made in Shalit prisoner swap deal Responses: 5 Hezbollah: Mugniyah killing revenge to be 'extremely costly' Responses: 47 Rosner's Domain Brzezinski didn't show up (WTR) How would Obama handle Israel? Ex-advisors offer clues Clinton's peace team: the attacks on Rob Malley "vicious" (WTR) Most blatant example of Israeli interference in American election The U.S. and Mughniyah / Not just 'who' but also 'where' More Headlines 10:30 Report: Progress made in Shalit prisoner swap deal 09:23 PM: No new settlements to come but existing blocs, J'lem to keep growing 08:00 Hezbollah: Revenge for Mugniyah killing to be 'extremely costly' for Israel 03:12 UN official warns against Gaza invasion, says diplomacy only solution 02:09 Israel delays taking stance on independent Kosovo 07:49 Temperatures to drop sharply as severe storm hits Israel 09:26 Minister Majadele stable after surgery to stop bleeding on his brain 06:12 Interior Min. mulls 'absorption grant' for T.A.'s African refugees 05:17 PM gave Winograd panel details of post-war decision-making 08:50 Gov't to fund fortification of 3,600 homes near Gaza, instead of 8,000 08:52 Knesset passes draft bill outlawing membership in racist organizations 06:35 Expert: Suspect's footprints found on pants of murdered Golan girl 17:35 Egypt: No Gaza border deal without consent of Israel, PA Previous Editions Select Day 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb

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