By JPOST.COM STAFF
25/05/2011
Former chief of staff Ashkenazi explains that Hamas is hiding captive IDF solider in a way which makes it almost impossible to find him.

Former IDF chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi said on Wednesday that the military is not capable of bringing about the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.

"I failed. It must be admitted that we can not use military force to release Schalit, Ashkenazi said during a speech at the business forum at Bar Ilan University where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.

"It is my dream to see a helicopter landing at the Erez crossing with Gilad Schalit, and I phone his parents to inform them that we have released him," admitted Ashkenazi.

"Hamas is hiding him in a way that makes it almost impossible for us to find him. We do not know where he is," Ashkenazi added.

The former chief of General Staff said that, in his opinion, even if the IDF will attack Hamas leaders, it will not release Schalit.

"If we don't find a military option to bring about his release then we have to admit that we have to pay a reasonable price for the release," Ashkenazi continued.

Why admit this in public?

Also if Israel started killing off Hamas leadership, something we have not tried to this point, maybe we could get Gilad back.