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Gilad Shalit to be swapped for Palestinian prisoners Gilad Shalit swapped for Palestinian prisoners
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is due to be freed from five years' captivity on Tuesday in return for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has handed over Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to Egyptian mediators after five years' captivity, as part of a prisoner swap deal with Israel, Hamas officials have told the BBC.
More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are due to be freed. The first 477 are being released on Tuesday.
Sgt Shalit was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.Sgt Shalit was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.
On Monday, the Israeli Supreme Court turned down an appeal for a 48-hour delay from the families of victims of attacks by Palestinian militants. On Monday the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a bid by families of victims of militant attacks to delay the swap.
The first of 477 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed on Tuesday have now started leaving their jails. The day's events are unfolding in a carefully choreographed sequence.
A large convoy 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 Gilad Shalit, 25, was taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, to be handed in the presence of Israeli representatives, Hamas officials told the BBC.
He is then to be transferred to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Egypt and Israel.
After he has made a phone call to his parents and undergone a brief medical examination, he will be flown by helicopter to the Tel Nof airbase in Israel.
While this is going on, the first of 477 Palestinian prisoners destined for Gaza or exile abroad are to cross into Egypt from Kerem Shalom, a 10-minute drive from Rafah.
Early on Tuesday, a large convoy of inmates left a prison in the south of Israel while a smaller group left another in the centre of the country - both under heavy security.
The remaining 550 are scheduled to be released next month.The remaining 550 are scheduled to be released next month.
"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."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.
Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas prepared a hero's welcome for 295 prisoners due to be sent to the territory.Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas prepared a hero's welcome for 295 prisoners due to be sent to the territory.
The Hamas interior minister for Gaza has urged residents to "refrain from using weapons and ammunition to express their joy".The Hamas interior minister for Gaza has urged residents to "refrain from using weapons and ammunition to express their joy".
Step by step Some of the Palestinians released will be flown to host countries including Turkey, Syria or Qatar.
The day's events will unfold in a carefully choreographed sequence. 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.
Early on Tuesday morning local time, Gilad Shalit, 25, is due to be taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Prisoners being released into the West Bank will be taken to the Bituniya checkpoint, where they will be handed over to the PA.
The 477 Palestinian prisoners will be taken to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Egypt, a 10-minute drive from Rafah. Sgt Shalit will be undergoing further medical checks at Tel Nof, where he will meet members of his family, as well as Mr Netanyahu.
Sgt Shalit will be handed over to the Egyptians, in the presence of Israeli representatives.
Once his release has been confirmed, Israel will release 27 women prisoners. Sgt Shalit will then be transferred to Kerem Shalom.
After he has made a phone call to his parents and undergone a brief medical examination, he will be flown by helicopter to the Tel Nof airbase in Israel.
While this is going on, Palestinian prisoners destined for Gaza or exile abroad will cross into Egypt from Kerem Shalom.
Egypt will ensure the deportees are flown to host countries including Turkey, Syria or Qatar.
The Palestinian Authority 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 released into the West Bank will be taken to the Bituniya checkpoint, where they will be handed over to the PA
Meanwhile, Sgt Shalit will be undergoing further medical checks at Tel Nof, where he will meet members of his family, as well as Mr 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 the 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 the western Galilee.
Sgt Shalit's family lived in a protest tent in Jerusalem for 16 months while they campaigned for his release.Sgt Shalit's family lived in a protest tent in Jerusalem for 16 months while they campaigned for his release.
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.