Israel: Free hostage and we will halt Gaza strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his Cabinet today that Israel’s offensive in Gaza would end immediately if Palestinian militants were to release the Israeli soldier they captured.

“I take personal responsibility for what is happening in Gaza. I want no one to sleep at night in Gaza. I want them to know what it feels like,” Olmert was quoted as saying about Israel’s air and ground offensive in the coastal strip.