DOWNING STREET PRESS BRIEFING
Gaza
Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned about the Gaza invasion, the PMOS said that first, the kidnapped soldier needed to be returned unharmed. Obviously, we were concerned about the situation, and as always, we urged for all sides to act with restraint.
Asked if we would have preferred the Israelis to have given diplomacy a greater chance, the PMOS said that the soldier needed to be returned unharmed, and the PMOS said that he was not sure that it helped for us to offer advice from the sidelines, other than people should act with restraint and we should allow politics to take hold. The soldier should not have been kidnapped in the first place.
Asked if that message had been conveyed personally to anyone, the PMOS said that he was not aware that it had, but we kept in regular contact with all concerned.
Country: United Kingdom
Subject: Gaza Strip, Incursions
Publication Date: 28/06/2006