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Israelis Push Into Gaza, Clash With Gunmen
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The groups holding Shalit are demanding that Israel free some of the more than 8,500 Palestinians in Israeli jails in exchange for his release. But the security cabinet stated Wednesday that its position "is, and remains, that there will be no negotiations on a release of prisoners in exchange for Cpl. Shalit and that Israel views the Palestinian Authority as responsible for returning Gilad to Israel safe and sound."
An Israeli human rights group filed a petition Wednesday with Israel's high court challenging what it says has been Israel's policy of denying Palestinians visits with jailed relatives since Shalit's capture.
A spokesman for the Israel Prison Service said the agency would answer the complaint in a court filing. But an Israeli security official acknowledged privately that prison visits have been suspended while efforts to free Shalit continue.
The rocket fire on Ashkelon has prompted a furious response by Israel, which bombed the Interior Ministry early Wednesday morning.
The ministry building was condemned after the bombing, and employees worked amid shattered glass, debris and dangling wires to salvage what they could. The ministry told employees to begin working from branch offices in their neighborhoods.
Special correspondent Samuel Sockol in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
