Israelis March for Shalit’s Release

Thousands of Israelis are expected to join the family of captured soldier Gilad Shalit as they embark upon a 12-day march across the country to the capital in order to call attention to his ongoing captivity at the hands of Hamas. It is now four years since the cross-border raid by Hamas that resulted in Shalit’s capture. Shalit’s father, Noam, told reporters that he is not optimistic about the outcome of the march, while government officials have admonished that Shalit’s release will not come as the result of public displays by Israeli citizens. Hamas has rejected the latest offer for a prisoner swap presented by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.