Israelis Analyzing Reports That Captured Soldier Shalit Was Injured in Bombing

Israeli authorities are trying to determine whether reports that captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was injured in the bombing of the Gaza Strip are real or part of an attempt to undermine popular support for the military operation. A report that Shalit was injured first appeared on a Hamas-controlled television station in Egypt. Officials told media that a report of this nature had been expected and had warned Shalit’s family to prepare for it. Shalit was captured in June 2006 and has been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip ever since. Many fear the military operation will become the pretext for Hamas to kill its prisoner.