Sign Of Life From A Kidnapped Israeli Soldier In Gaza Prison

A Parent's Plea For Their Son

Gilad Shalit, a 22 year old Isaeli soldier was kidnapped 3 years ago by the Hamas.  He was on duty guarding and ensuring the security of the settlements around Gaza. Gilad's parents say that he is a well-mannered, quiet and introverted young man. Gilad was always volunteering to help everyone, even on his short vacations from the army he helped his parents run their Bed and Breakfast in Galilee.

Since the attack by the Hamas at Kerem Shalom on Sunday, 06/25/06, Gilad has been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas. For over two years his parents had no news of him, if he was safe, alive or what his physical or mental condition was.  Now, after more than three years in captivity, the Shalit family receives a sign of life from Gilad in the form of a Hamas videotape addressed to Gilad's father.

"We are concerned by the images of him." said Gilad's father during a briefing last Friday night. "Aviva (Gilad's mother) and I are concerned in the face of the images we saw.  We must not forget that Gilad is suffering and rotting in the Hamas prison."

After 1,195 days in captivity, the roughly two-and-a-half minute video shows Gilad facing the camera.  The captive soldier appears to be in sound mental condition, although he weighs considerably less than he did 3 years ago.

In the tape, Shalit says, "Hello, this Gilad, son of Noam and Aviva Shalit, brother of Hadas and Yoel, who lives in Mitzpe Hila.  My ID number is 397029.  As you can see they let me see the paper today to read about myself, and in hopes of reading I hope to see information of my return home and my imminent release."

Gilad then continues, "I hope the current government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu reaches an agreement and as a result, allow me to fulfill my dream and be released.

Gilad addresses his parents and says, "I wish to send my well-wishes to my family and tell them that I love them and miss them greatly, and hope for the day I'll see them again.  Dad, Yoel, and Hadas, do you remember the day you arrived at my base in the Golan Heights, on December 31, 2005?  We toured around the base and you took a picture of me on a Merkava tank and on one of the old tanks at the entrance of the base.  Later, we ate dinner at Druze villages against the backdrop of the snowy Hermon Mountain."

He told his parents he was well medically, but they question that looking at him in the video.  He has a medical condition that they believe is not being treated.  He was low medical went he signed up for the Army. So it is crucial to get him out of this prison so he can be treated.

Gilad's parents viewed the video in the privacy of their home and later this week released it to the Prime Minister's office who released it to the public with the parent's permission. They have been told by the Prime Minister's office that negotiations are continuing for Gilad's release.

Groups have been formed around the world for the release of Gilad and a request for prayer for his release.

I am asking all the Wilson churches to put Gilad on their prayer list.  You may ask, what does one Israeli soldier matter? He would matter a great deal if he were your son, your brother or your grandson.  It reminds me of the last words of Schindler, in Schindler's list, "Just one, if I could have saved just one more."

As we speak, God is gathering his people from the four corners of the earth.  Gilad's family prays for mercy for God to send their son back to Israel from his captivity to his birth place, and asked us to pray that his captivity will end soon by the grace of God and intercessory prayer.


A petition to the Israeli government is in progress and hoping for a million signatures around the world. If you would like to help free Gilad go to www.habanim.org

A prayer from Wilson, North Carolina for Gilad today:

Psalm 70

Remember Gilad O'Lord

Make haste, O God, to deliver him
Make haste to help him O'Lord!

Let his captor's (a terrorist group) be ashamed and confounded
Those who seek his life, Let them be turned back and confused Who desire his hurt.
Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, "Aha, aha!"

Let all those who seek You Gilad rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified in this situation."

Gilad is poor and needy; Make haste to him, O'God!
You are his help and his deliverer; O'God do not delay!

In Jesus Name We Pray!

I want to encourage Christian's today to support Israel and pray for them just as we do for each other, for God said, "I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you." Let us always remember the mercy that Jesus gave us and may we always return that mercy in our hearts and with prayers for those Jews who need deliverance and mercy! We love you Gilad and are praying for your release!