Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with the US secretary of defense, Robert gates, at the Pentagon and discussed with him kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

"A million and a half people are living in Gaza, but only one of them is really in need of humanitarian aid," Barak said. He also told Gates there was immediate importance to the blockade on the Strip. "The US understands and supports the steps Israel is taking in Gaza," Barak said after leaving the meeting. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)