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Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap
(about 2 hours later)
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has arrived back in Israel following his release from five years' captivity, as part of a prisoner exchange deal.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.Sgt Shalit was taken from Gaza to Egypt, and then to an airbase in Israel where he was reunited with his family.
Meanwhile the first of 477 Palestinians to be released have arrived in Gaza and the West Bank, amid jubilant scenes.Meanwhile the first of 477 Palestinians to be released have arrived in Gaza and the West Bank, amid jubilant scenes.
Another 550 jailed Palestinian are to be freed next month under the deal between Israel and Hamas.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.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 representatives.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 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. The first sight of Gilad Shalit's homecoming were three little black dots just above the horizon. Within minutes they had grown to three huge Sikorsky helicopters roaring in across the perimeter fence and hovering over the runway of the Tel Nof airbase.
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. Out of sight of the cameras Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walked out to greet the young soldier.
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. "Welcome home, Gilad," the prime minister told him, before taking him to meet his parents. Speaking to the media a few minutes later, Mr Netanyahu said he had told Sgt Shalit's parents: "I have brought you your son home."
In the zero-sum game of Palestinian politics, this swap does not bring a peace deal closer. It strengthens Hamas and weakens Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - the only one who can negotiate with Israel. In a televised address to the Israeli people, Mr Netanyahu then justified his decision to free 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in return for one Israeli. He said it had been a very difficult decision. But he said there was a need to bring home a soldier that had been sent to the battlefield by the state of Israel.
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.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.Sgt Shalit was then transferred to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Egypt and Israel.
He made a phone call to his parents and was later flown to Tel Nof airbase, where the family was reunited.He made a phone call to his parents and was later flown to Tel Nof airbase, where the family was reunited.
Initial medical examinations found Sgt Shalit to be in a stable condition.Initial medical examinations found Sgt Shalit to be in a stable condition.
At Tel Nof he was met by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the release was an "exciting moment" but also "very difficult" as the price - the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners - had been "heavy, very high".At Tel Nof he was met by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the release was an "exciting moment" but also "very difficult" as the price - the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners - had been "heavy, very high".
Mr Netanyahu added: "I want to make it clear: we will continue fighting terrorism."Mr Netanyahu added: "I want to make it clear: we will continue fighting terrorism."
Sgt Shalit is to have further medical checks. If he is declared fit, he will be flown with his family to northern Israel and escorted to his hometown of Mitzpe Hila. After further medical checks, Sgt Shalit was declared fit enough to be flown to his hometown of Mitzpe Hila in northern Israel, where he is expected shortly.
Meanwhile, about 180 of the 295 Palestinians due to be sent to Gaza have arrived in the territory. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was pleased that Sgt Shalit's "long ordeal" had ended, adding that he had been held for "far too long".
Celebrations to welcome them have begun, with an estimated 200,000 people gathered in Gaza City. Meanwhile, the former Palestinian prisoners have been arriving back in Gaza and the West Bank.
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. An estimated 200,000 people gathered in Gaza City to welcome them.
The former prisoners returning to Gaza 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.
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.
A number of senior Palestinian prisoners have been left out of the deal - which was brokered by Egypt.A number of senior Palestinian prisoners have been left out of the deal - which was brokered by Egypt.
'Another prison''Another prison'
The BBC's Yolande Knell at the 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 was "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."
About 40 of the Palestinians released on Tuesday will be flown to host countries including Turkey, Syria or Qatar.About 40 of the Palestinians released on Tuesday will be flown to host countries including Turkey, Syria or Qatar.
Other prisoners have been taken to the West Bank, where they were met by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.Other prisoners have been taken to the West Bank, where they were met by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.
Addressing a cheering crowd in Ramallah, Mr Abbas praised the former detainees as "freedom fighters" and said more Palestinian prisoners would eventually be freed.Addressing a cheering crowd in Ramallah, Mr Abbas praised the former detainees as "freedom fighters" and said more Palestinian prisoners would eventually be freed.
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.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.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."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.