July 3, 2006: The Palestinian terrorists have threatened to kill their captive if the Israeli army does not withdraw from Gaza in 24 hours, and release a thousand Palestinian prisoners. The terrorists will probably follow through on the threat, because they have nothing to lose. If they do release the captive soldier, without their demands being met, they will be admitting a defeat, which is a fate worse than death for terrorists. The Israeli tactics of not killing anyone, but taking Palestinian politicians captive, cutting electricity and sealing off Gaza, has applied the kind of pressure the Palestinian terror groups cannot deal with. The Palestinians need dead civilians in order to arouse their allies in the Arab world and Europe. Without those dead civilians, there is no external pressure on the Israelis to give in to Palestinian demands. But if the Israeli captive is simply murdered, the Palestinians can turn themselves into victims of Israeli aggression once more. The victim thing is getting old, however, even among many Palestinians. It's a role with no future, and few fringe benefits.

July 2, 2006: Israel allowed food and medical supplies to resume movement into Gaza. A hundred or so trucks will be allowed through Israeli checkpoints each day. At the same time, Israeli warplanes and helicopters fired missiles at more buildings used by Palestinian terrorists, and other armed groups.

July 1, 2006: Israeli warplanes hit the unoccupied offices of the Palestinian Authority prime minister with missiles. Several security guards were wounded. Meanwhile, the kidnappers of the Israeli soldier have increased their demands. They now want a thousand Palestinian prisoners freed, and all Israeli troops out of Gaza. If this were done, the Israeli soldier would be released. Israel demands that the soldier be released, with no "compensation" for the kidnappers.