国际英语新闻：Gaza policy applicable in other parts of West Bank: Barak

"We expect that while we are opening or easing the entry to Gaza, his fate will also be taken into account and international pressure will emerge to bring about the end of his stay in Hamas' hands," he said.

Shalit is an Israeli soldier who was captured on June 25, 2006 by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid. He was abducted through the Kerem Shalom crossing (in Israel), and has been held as a prisoner in the Gaza Strip by Hamas since then.

On the coming flotilla, which ship humanitarian goods to Gaza and other parts of the West Bank, Barak said, "We've heard in the media that some organization, probably backed by terror organizations, are once again trying to send vessels into Gaza."

"I should tell everyone that this is a bit irresponsible to do that," he said. "It is well known that we ask all of them, as we asked the previous flotilla to join us and go through Ashdod."

"We see the government of Lebanon responsible for whatever vessels or ships are coming from its ports, and responsible to whatever people with them, boarding on those ships, because there could be a friction that could lead to violence, which is totally unnecessarily and would not be justified once the way to Gaza is open, as it was open even before the last flotilla for everything which is related to human needs," he said.

On his meeting with Ban, he said "I shared with the SG ( secretary-general) our views about his expectation to establish and international inquiry into the recent incident."