BICOM

Britain’s minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt called for the immediate and unconditional release of captured IDF soldier in Gaza, Gilad Shalit. Burt released a special video message on the Foreign Ministry’s Youtube page marking the fifth anniversary of the abduction of Shalit. In his message, Burt said it is “absolutely time for Gilad to be released, and the impact of this in the region would be immense”. Burt added that it is  “grossly unfair and wrong” that Shalit has been denied access to the Red Cross and that his family have not been able to make contact with him. Burt said that there is no reason for Hamas to still be holding Shalit. Burt echoed an earlier call on Wednesday by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, who also appealed for the immediate release of Shalit.