Israeli infantry forces rolled through the streets of Gaza a day after Hamas and other terrorists attacked an army post near Kerem Shalom, killing two and taking one captive. Corporal Gilad Shalit, 19, is believed to be alive, but wounded in the head and the chest and not in life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, the Egyptian consulate in Gaza has contacted the abductors and offered to provide medical treatment for Shalit. Doctors would be blindfolded to keep discrete his whereabouts. At a Security Cabinet meeting there was a unanimous decision for a major ground incursion into Gaza. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel was not going to negotiate for Shalit’s release or exchange prisoners for him.
“The age of restraint has come to an end... We will respond forcefully, with an operation that will last more than a day or two,” the prime minister said.
First Lieutenant Hanan Barak, 21, was laid to rest Sunday evening in his hometown of Arad. Staff Sergeant Pavel Slutsker, 20, of Dimona will be buried on Monday.