Protesters block Gaza crossings demanding Shalit's release

Hundreds of Israeli protesters blocked border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, demanding the immediate return of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

The protesters are blocking the Karni, Kerem Shalom, and Erez crossings, in an attempt to stop the entry of trucks carrying food supplies to the coastal territory. Since 9 A.M., only one truck has entered the Strip, according to an official involved in the transport of supplies to Gaza.

The protesters, wearing shirts that read "enlisted for Gilad", plan to remain at the crossings until 4 P.M.

Gilad's father Noam attended the protest at the Karni crossing, where he called on demonstrators to allow the entry of trucks carrying medical supplies, and the passage of Gazans seeking medical treatment in Israel.

Police are attempting to disperse the protesters and have vowed they will not allow any stoppages in the provision of supplies to the Gaza Strip. Nonetheless, dozens of trucks currently stand idle at the crossings waiting for the protests to disperse.

A truckers' council has called on shipping and trucking countries to refrain from sending supplies to the Gaza Strip, in solidarity with the protesters.

Noam Shalit told Israel Radio Tuesday "the people have spoken and you can see that here."

A counter-protest is slated to begin at 1pm on the Palestinian side of the border, where Gazans will demand an end to the Gaza blockade and the immediate resumptions of talks for a prisoner exchange, which would include Shalit.

Shalit has been in Palestinian captivity since he was abducted by Gaza militants in a 2006 cross-border raid.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to make Shalit's release his "personal responsibility".

Netanyahu also promised to instruct all relevant policy and security authorities to "carry out every effort to return Gilad alive and well, as soon as possible."

The prime minister made his statement during a meeting of the Likud faction in the Knesset. He directed his comments at Noam Shalit, who was in attendance at the meeting.

Netanyahu added that he will make Shalit's return one of the central themes of his upcoming meetings with European leaders in Italy and France.