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January 29, 2009

Israel: Gaza Borders Closed Until Captured Soldier Freed
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Meanwhile, the Israeli government is claiming it will continue to close
Gaza’s border crossings until the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit
is released. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert laid out the condition
in a meeting with Middle East envoy George Mitchell. Shalit was captured
in 2006 from an area near the Gaza border where Israel has launched
countless attacks. Israel has banned all imports and exports from Gaza
and only allows a limited number of humanitarian goods. After the
meeting, Mitchell called for expanding the recent ceasefire.

Middle East envoy George Mitchell: “As the Prime Minister and I
discussed, of critical importance is consolidating the ceasefire,
including a cessation of hostilities, an end to smuggling and the
reopening of the crossings based on the 2005 agreement. President Obama
has said that the United States is committed to Israel’s security and to
its right to defend itself against legitimate threats. The President has
also said that the United States will sustain an active commitment
toward reaching a goal of two states living side by side in peace and
security."

Mitchell is set to meet Palestinian leaders from the Fatah party on the
West Bank today. But he has no plans on meeting democratically elected
Hamas officials in Gaza.