For three years, Gilad Shalit has been in the dark. That's 1095 days without sunshine, without hope, without smiles. Gilad Shalit began his military service at the end of July 2005. He preferred to serve in a combat unit, despite the fact that he could have avoided combat duty due to his medical profile.
One day, on June 25, 2006, 1095 days ago, a terrorist group of Palestinians crossed the border south of the Gaza Strip into Israel through a tunnel near Kerem Shalom and attacked an army facility. Since that Sunday morning, Gilad has been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.
Why is Gilad still in captivity? Why isn't he enjoying the traditional post-army trip to South America or India like his friends who have already been released from the army? There is no answer to this question. The State of Israel agreed to release hundreds of prisoners in return for Gilad. That's hundreds of terrorists with Israeli blood on their hands. Gilad's parents, Noam and Aviva, are pleading, save our child! We are willing to negotiate, but the other side won't release any information regarding Gilad's health, morale, or life. The Red Cross can't visit him; Gilad's parents can't send letters. Basically there is no information regarding Gilad, and he is not far-somewhere in Gaza, a few kilometers from Sderot, Ashkelon, and other Israeli cities.
Today, exactly three years after his abduction, the radio plays songs written in Gilad's honor). Gilad's family is holding a ceremony in Tel Aviv and thousands of Israelis of all ages, all denominations, are expected to participate. One nation, One family, One lost child, Gilad.
What other nation in the world has this kind of solidarity-children, families, citizens drive day after day for three years to Jerusalem just to stop by the Shalit tent to say: We love Gilad. We don't know him, but he belongs to all of us, and we want him back!. Thank God this is the kind of state the Jewish people have.
Gilad speaks from captivity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVVfxD4i2C0&feature=fvst
Listen to Israeli musicians sing for Gilad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9V9vSR9gZ0
Read Aviva Shalit's letter to the people of Israel: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3736846,00.html