IDF: Gilad Shalit back home in Israel

[Behind the Aegis]

Source: Ha'aretz

Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, who has spent more than five years in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, has officially passed into Israeli custody on Tuesday.

Shalit's return to Israel came after the IDF has officially passed into Israeli custody less than an hour earlier, and after Egyptian TV released the first images of the Israeli soldier since his release.

In an interview to the Egyptian Nile TV station Shalit said he was informed of a deal to secure his release a week ago, adding that he missed his family and friends.

An Israel Defense Forces official confirmed that Shalit was identified at the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and was "alive and well."

Earlier Hamas said Israel completed the transfer of Palestinian prisoners due to be deported overseas and the Gaza Strip into Egypt, in a clear sign that a deal geared at securing Shalit's release was on track.



Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-gilad-shalit-back-home-in-israel-1.390585

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He's alive and home!

[Rhiannon12866]

1. K&R! Thanks for posting this!

Great news! So relieved this went smoothly! :toast:

[dipsydoodle]

2. ditto

A step in the right direction.

[dipsydoodle]

3. BBC News link - includes video

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has arrived back in Israel following his release from five years' captivity, as part of a prisoner exchange deal.

Sgt Shalit was taken from Gaza to Egypt, and then to an airbase in Israel where he was reunited with his family.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15339604

[sellitman]

4. Glad for his family but.....

Too many terrorists were let loose for this to be a victory.

[classysassy]

15. Define terrorist

if your terrorize a group,a state or nation you are not a peacemaker,you are a terrorist.Are the Israeli ever called terrorist when they terrorize the Palestinians,westerners are deceitful.

[Behind the Aegis]

16. .

[sellitman]

20. You are right

Palestinians could never be the Terrorists because they are the downtrodden.

How silly of me.

Please target more civilians please.

[varelse]

5. This is wonderful news

he is finally home.

:')

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. this is good n/t

[DFW]

7. I wonder how the Palestinians are viewing this deal

There are two ways to look at it from a Palestinian point of view....

One--they got a fabulous deal getting a thousand of their people back for just one Israeli soldier

or.......

One Israeli soldier is worth a thousand of their people, a bit more sobering.

[riderinthestorm]

14. Palestinians are celebrating from the news reports I'm seeing. nt

[DFW]

17. My niece just arrived in Jerusalem yesterday

She's there for a semester of study, and said everybody's celebrating in all parts of the city.

If everybody thinks they won, so much the better.

[madrchsod]

8. good to see that he`s home but....

"when the prison doors are opened ....."

[Kingofalldems]

9. Kick and Rec

[BetsysGhost]

10. leaving politics aside

I am glad this young man is safe, and home now.

[coalition_unwilling]

11. That means Netanyahu's government negotiated with

terrorists, right?

:sarcasm:

[Orrex]

12. I've noticed that Shalit was a "hostage"

But the thousand Palestinians were prisoners.

Not sure what to make of that, but I find it interesting.

[Nihil]

18. Valid point.

Well spotted.

[Blue_Tires]

13. They traded 1,027 prisoners for him?

just how many prisoners do they have?

[David Sky]

19. That's the REALLY important question!! One Israeli was held and...

how many Palestinians have been being held, are still now being held,or will be held for how much longer?

What charges are each and every one of them being held for? Does not each and every one of THEM have family and friends wondering if they will ever be seen again alive and reunited back in their home?