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Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap
(40 minutes later)
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has arrived back in Israel, following his release from five years' captivity as part of a prisoner deal with Hamas. 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.Sgt Shalit was first taken from Gaza to Egypt, where he was released to Israeli officials and later crossed the border.
More than 1,000 Palestinians are due to be freed in the prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The first 477 are being released on Tuesday. Meanwhile the first of 477 Palestinians to be released on Tuesday have arrived in Gaza amid rapturous scenes.
Sgt Shalit was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel. Another 550 jailed Palestinian are to be freed next month under the deal between Israel and Hamas.
Early on Tuesday Gilad Shalit, 25, was taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and handed over to Egypt by Hamas, in the presence of Israeli representatives. Sgt Shalit, 25, was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.
Egyptian TV showed footage of Sgt Shalit being escorted from a vehicle. It was the first time he had appeared in a video since 2009. Early on Tuesday he was taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and handed over to Egypt by Hamas, in the presence of Israeli representatives.
It's rare for both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to be celebrating anything on the same day. But both sides feel like they have got something out of this prisoner swap.It's rare for both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to be celebrating anything on the same day. But both sides feel like they have got something out of this prisoner swap.
Gilad Shalit has been described as "Israel's son". Nearly every family sends their children to do military service in Israel and so Shalit's capture resonated with every mother and father in the land. Gilad Shalit has been described as "Israel's son". Nearly every family sends their children to do military service in Israel and so Sgt Shalit's capture resonated with every mother and father in the land.
The prisoners being released into the West Bank and Gaza are seen by many there as heroes of the resistance to Israeli occupation. But when the celebrations are over the problems will remain.The prisoners being released into the West Bank and Gaza are seen by many there as heroes of the resistance to Israeli occupation. But when the celebrations are over the problems will remain.
In the zero-sum game of Palestinian politics because the prisoner release strengthens Hamas it weakens Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and he is the only one who can negotiate with Israel. This swap does not bring a peace deal closer In the zero-sum game of Palestinian politics, because the prisoner release strengthens Hamas and weakens Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - the only one who can negotiate with Israel - this swap does not bring a peace deal closer.
Egyptian TV showed footage of Sgt Shalit being escorted from a vehicle - the first new video images of him since 2009.
Later, in his first interview, he 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.Later, in his first interview, he 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.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. There he is to have medical checks and meet members of his family, as well as Mr Netanyahu. He made a phone call to his parents before being flown to the Tel Nof airbase. There he is to have medical checks and meet members of his family, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
If he is fit, Sgt Shalit will then be flown with his family to northern Israel and escorted by a convoy to his home town of Mitzpe Hila, in western Galilee.If he is fit, Sgt Shalit will then be flown with his family to northern Israel and escorted by a convoy to his home town of Mitzpe Hila, in western Galilee.
Meanwhile, about 180 of 295 Palestinian due to be sent to Gaza have arrived in the territory, where celebrations have begun. Meanwhile, about 180 of the 295 Palestinian due to be sent to Gaza have arrived in the territory, where celebrations have begun.
They first crossed into Egypt from Kerem Shalom abroad buses, and were then driven to Rafah. They first crossed by bus into Egypt from Kerem Shalom, and were then driven to Rafah.
They were met at the Rafah crossing by relatives and friends, as well as Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.
Early on Tuesday, they had left a prison in the south of Israel, while a smaller group left another in the centre of the country - both under heavy security.Early on Tuesday, they had left a prison in the south of Israel, while a smaller group left another in the centre of the country - both under heavy security.
Another 550 are scheduled to be released next month.Another 550 are scheduled to be released next month.
A number of senior Palestinian prisoners have been left out of the deal - including Marwan Barghouti, a key member of the Fatah movement jailed over deadly attacks.
Speaking in Ramallah after the releases, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas said all Palestinian prisoners would eventually be freed.
Another prisonAnother prison
The BBC's Yolande Knell at Rafah crossing from Egypt says relatives of those to be freed have been waiting there overnight. The BBC's Yolande Knell at the Rafah crossing from Egypt says relatives of those to be freed have been waiting there overnight.
One man said he was "very happy" his cousin would be let out after more than 30 years but "very angry" that he was being moved to Gaza which is under an Israeli blockade. One man said he was "very happy" his cousin would be let out after more than 30 years but was "very angry" that he was being moved to Gaza, which is under an Israeli blockade.
He said: "They will come from one prison to another prison."He said: "They will come from one prison to another prison."
Some of the Palestinians released will be flown to host countries including Turkey, Syria or Qatar.Some of the Palestinians released will be flown to host countries including Turkey, Syria or Qatar.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has prepared new passports for those being deported to third countries, which it has given to the Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian territories. The PA has prepared new passports for those being deported to third countries, which it has given to the Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian territories.
Prisoners being taken to the West Bank were to be released via the Bituniya checkpoint. But Palestinian officials now say they will be handed via another location which has not been disclosed yet. Prisoners being taken to the West Bank were to be released via the Bituniya checkpoint.
But Palestinian officials now say they will be handed over at another location, which has not been disclosed yet.
Sgt Shalit was a 19-year-old tank crewman when he was captured in June 2006. His family lived in a protest tent in Jerusalem for 16 months while they campaigned for his release.Sgt Shalit was a 19-year-old tank crewman when he was captured in June 2006. His family lived in a protest tent in Jerusalem for 16 months while they campaigned for his release.
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says Israelis who send their children to the country's conscript army identify strongly with the Shalit family's pain.BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says Israelis who send their children to the country's conscript army identify strongly with the Shalit family's pain.
However, our correspondent adds, Israel has paid a high price for Sgt Shalit's freedom. Many of the Palestinians being released were serving life for killing Israelis with bombs and bullets. However, our correspondent adds, Israel has paid a high price for Sgt Shalit's freedom.
"I understand the difficulty in accepting that the vile people who committed the heinous crimes against your loved ones will not pay the full price they deserve," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in a letter, released by his office, to bereaved Israeli families. Many of the Palestinians being released were serving life for killing Israelis with bombs and bullets.
Mr Netanyahu wrote a letter, released by his office, to bereaved Israeli families telling them: "I understand the difficulty in accepting that the vile people who committed the heinous crimes against your loved ones will not pay the full price they deserve."
Are you affected by the events in this story? Are you in Gaza? Share your thoughts by filling in the form below.Are you affected by the events in this story? Are you in Gaza? Share your thoughts by filling in the form below.