Gilad Shalit was handed over as part of a prisoner swap deal
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Gilad Shalit release

Prisoner exchange Live
Q&A: Shalit release deal
Timing key to release deal
A 1,000-to-one asymmetry

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 first taken from Gaza to Egypt, where he was released to Israeli officials and later crossed the border.

Meanwhile the first of 477 Palestinians to be released on Tuesday have arrived in Gaza amid rapturous scenes.

Another 550 jailed Palestinian are to be freed next month under the deal between Israel and Hamas.

Sgt Shalit, 25, was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.

Early on Tuesday he was taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and handed over to Egyptian mediators by Hamas, in the presence of Israeli representative.

In his first interview, Sgt Shalit told Egyptian TV he missed his friends and family. Looking drawn and pale, he said he hoped the exchange would help bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Sgt Shalit was then transferred to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Egypt and Israel.

He made a phone call to his parents before being flown to the Tel Nof airbase.

Initial medical examinations found Sgt Shalit to be in a stable condition.

At Tel Nof he is to have further medical checks and meet relatives, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

If he is declared it, Sgt Shalit will then be flown with his family to northern Israel and escorted by convoy to his hometown of Mitzpe Hila.

Meanwhile, about 180 of the 295 Palestinians due to be sent to Gaza have arrived in the territory.

Celebrations to welcome them have begun, with an estimated 200,000 people gathered in Gaza City.

The former prisoners first crossed by bus into Egypt from Kerem Shalom, before being met at the Rafah crossing by relatives and friends, as well as Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.

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

Sgt Gilad Shalit looked to thin like an AIDS patient whereas the Palestinians that were released looked healthier.

Israeli's have to true compassion and respect for their citizens.
Because one Innocent soul, they are freeing 1027 killers and terrorist.

I was almost weeping when i watched the exchange. What a contrast? All the terrorist were well fed and looking healthy while Gilad was looking very sick as if he wasn't fed for more than a month.

This shows the true heart of the Israeli's. I trust them, they will still catch more prisoner because those Hamas will never stop looking for trouble.

Is high time the Palestinians recognize the Jewish state so that they can also get their independence.
No matter all the endorsement of Palestinian statehood by different countries, it will still not work as far as this is not done.

Let them get the message clear, Israel can never be defeated.!!!!

Israeli's have to true compassion and respect for their citizens.

Because one Innocent soul, they are freeing 1027 killers and terrorist.

I was almost weeping when i watched the exchange. What a contrast? All the terrorist were well fed and looking healthy while Gilad was looking very sick as if he wasn't fed for more than a month.

This shows the true heart of the Israeli's. I trust them, they will still catch more prisoner because those Hamas will never stop looking for trouble.

Is high time the Palestinians recognize the Jewish state so that they can also get their independence.
No matter all the endorsement of Palestinian statehood by different countries, it will still not work as far as this is not done.

Let them get the message clear, Israel can never be defeated.!!!!

You are ryt bro