Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit to Be Swapped For Palestinian Prisoners

Swagger

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Jul 26, 2011
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Up on the scaffold
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. 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.

The first of 477 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed on Tuesday have now started leaving their jails.

Gilad Shalit to Be Swapped For Palestinian Prisoners - BBC
 
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Free at last, free at last - thank God Almighty he's free at last...
:clap2:
Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap
18 October 2011 : Gilad Shalit was handed over as part of a prisoner swap 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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." 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. Meanwhile, about 180 of the 295 Palestinians due to be sent to Gaza have arrived in the territory.

Celebrations to welcome them have begun, with an estimated 200,000 people gathered in Gaza City. 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. 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.

'Another prison'
 
If I was a citizen of Israel I would be extremely upset with this deal. The military is there to protect the people, not the other way around. Their basically compromising public safety to get one solder back, which is not a prudent move. Its also sets a bad president, they're not supposed to negotiate with terrorists, none the less give in to such ridiculous demands.
 
If I was a citizen of Israel I would be extremely upset with this deal. The military is there to protect the people, not the other way around. Their basically compromising public safety to get one solder back, which is not a prudent move. Its also sets a bad president, they're not supposed to negotiate with terrorists, none the less give in to such ridiculous demands.

Jews value life. Muslimes value death.
 

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