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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 deal with Hamas.
Sgt Shalit was first taken from Gaza to Egypt, where he was released to Israeli officials and later taken home. 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.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.
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.
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, and handed over to Egypt by Hamas, in the presence of Israeli representatives.
Israeli Defence Forces later confirmed he was alive and well. 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.
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.
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
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. 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 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 western Galilee.
Meanwhile, the first Palestinian prisoners destined for Gaza or exile abroad have been crossing into Egypt from Kerem Shalom, a 10-minute drive from Rafah. Meanwhile, about 180 of 295 Palestinian due to be sent to Gaza have arrived in the territory, where celebrations have begun.
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. They first crossed into Egypt from Kerem Shalom abroad buses, and were then driven to Rafah.
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.
Another prisonAnother prison
Celebrations have begun in Gaza, as Hamas prepares a hero's welcome for 295 prisoners due to be sent to the territory.
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 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 "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 have been taken to the Bituniya checkpoint, where they to be handed over to the PA. 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.
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.
"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.
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.