Israel revisits kidnap prevention protocol

JERUSALEM, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A threat by Hamas to kidnap more Israeli soldiers has prompted Israel's military to revisit its prevention protocol, the army said.

The so-called "Hannibal protocol" that became official in the 1980s stipulates that the abduction of a living Israeli soldier must be prevented at all cost, Ynetnews.com reported Tuesday.

Revisiting the protocol follows the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who spent more than five years in captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas.

In order to secure Shalit's freedom, Israel was forced to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The new Hamas kidnap threat has resulted in briefings for Israeli army commanders on a series of preliminary actions to help prevent future abductions.

Army Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has also ordered commanders to learn methods of thwarting kidnappings even if it means endangering the life of a kidnapped Israeli soldier, the report said.