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Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap
(about 1 hour later)
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.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.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 rejected a bid by families of victims of militant attacks to delay the swap.On Monday the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a bid by families of victims of militant attacks to delay the swap.
The day's events are unfolding in a carefully choreographed sequence.The day's events are unfolding in a carefully choreographed sequence.
Early on Tuesday Gilad Shalit, 25, was taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, to be handed over to Egypt in the presence of Israeli representatives.Early on Tuesday Gilad Shalit, 25, was taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, to be handed over to Egypt in the presence of Israeli representatives.
But sources have told the BBC Israeli officials will not be allowed to identify Sgt Shalit until 50% of Palestinian prisoners have left Israel from the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israeli Defence Forces later confirmed they had identified he was alive and well.
Hamas guards are still with Sgt Shalit, the BBC understands, and sources have said they will only withdraw when all the Palestinian prisoners to be released have left Israel. Egyptian TV showed footage of Sgt Shalit being escorted from a vehicle in Egypt. It was the first time he had appeared in a video since 2009.
Once he is identified, Sgt Shalit is then to be transferred to Kerem Shalom. Earlier, sources told the BBC that Hamas guards were still with Sgt Shalit, and would only withdraw when all the Palestinian prisoners to be released had left 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. Sgt Shalit is then to be transferred to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Egypt and Israel.
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 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 closerIn 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
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.
He will be undergoing further checks at Tel Nof, where he will meet members of his family, as well as Mr Netanyahu.He will be undergoing further 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.
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.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.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".
Another prisonAnother prison
The BBC's Yolande Knell at Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza says relatives of those to be freed have been waiting there overnight.The BBC's Yolande Knell at Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza 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 "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 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.
Prisoners being released into the West Bank will be taken to the Bituniya checkpoint, where they will be handed over to the PA.Prisoners being released into the West Bank will be taken to the Bituniya checkpoint, where they will be handed over to the PA.
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. Many of the Palestinians being released were serving life for killing Israelis with bombs and bullets.
Many relatives of victims of Palestinian attacks have spoken out against the deal.Many relatives of victims of Palestinian attacks have spoken out against the deal.
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.