The Israeli army has deployed a large contingent to the border with the Gaza Strip in preparation for a major offensive over a kidnapped soldier. Corporal Gilad Shalit was abducted Sunday in a Palestinian operation that left two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians dead. On Monday, Palestinian groups offered to lead Israel to Corporal Shalit in return for the release of all Palestinian females and youths under the age of eighteen in Israeli prisons. Israel has rejected the demand and says it will target Hamas leaders if the soldier is not freed.

• Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Gilerman: “Israel has made it very very clear that it holds the Hamas, the terror organisation, responsible for the life of this soldier who we know is alive, and holds (Palestinian) President Mahmoud Abbas responsible for his safe return. Israel will do everything in its power to protect its people, Israel regards this incident very gravely and will make sure that the international community and the Palestinian Authority will do everything as quick as possible to make sure that this soldier is returned to his family safely.”

Meanwhile, Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Naser Al-Shaer made an appeal to the kidnappers.

• Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Naser Al-Shaer: “We urge to keep the Israeli soldier safe because we don’t want to give the Israeli army any excuses for escalation. This is why we ask to keep him safe and ask the international community to help our people in the Gaza Strip.”