Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit was greeted by an ecstatic welcome from hundreds of his friends, relatives and supporters as he arrived at his home in the northern town of Mitzpe Hila on Tuesday afternoon, hours after he was reunited with his parents and brother for the first time since he was abducted and taken to Gaza in June 2006.
Masses filled the streets in a carnival-like parade singing “Heveinu Shalom Aleichim” and marching with flags as the 25-year-old Shalit was driven up to his house for the first time in five years. Supporters who lined the street threw flowers at the IDF vehicle which transported the Shalit family to their home.
Shalit was released from Hamas captivity on Tuesday morning and taken to the Israel Air Force base in Tel Nof, central Israel shortly afterward. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak greeted Shalit as he arrived at the air base, accompanied by an IDF medical team.
“Hello, Gilad. Welcome back to Israel,” said Netanyahu. “It’s so good to have you home.” Shalit, who changed into an IDF uniform before a helicopter ride from the Gaza border, saluted the prime minister and then embraced him. A short time later, he saw his family again.
In an interview to the Egyptian Nile TV station Shalit said he learned of the deal to secure his release a week ago, and said that he had missed his family and friends during his captivity.
Immediately after his release, Shalit had a private phone conversation with his family members for the first time since being taken captive by Hamas in June 2006.
IDF Spokesman Yoav Mordechai said an initial physical examination of the IDF soldier found Shalit to be in good health.
He said later, however, that Shalit had felt unwell during the flight to the IAF base, and underwent a more comprehensive check-up before the decision was made to send fly him home by helicopter under medical supervision.
—
YNet
After 1,941 days in Hamas captivity, Gilad Shalit has returned home: IDF soldier Gilad Shalit entered the Kerem Shalom crossing just before noon on Tuesday and was greeted by Israeli army officers. He is seen walking with the officers as they conversed with him.
Earlier, Egyptian television broadcast the first images of Shalit as he was escorted by Egyptian security personnel at a terminal in Egypt. He was seen walking and appeared to be in good health.
“Gilad Shalit is home,” Israel’s chief military spokesman said a short while after the images were broadcast.
Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai made the announcement on live television at Israel’s Kerem Shalom border post with Egypt, where Shalit crossed into Israel.
Ahmed Jabari, head of Hamas’ military wing, was one of those seen leading Shalit in the video (left of Gilad in the image above).
Earlier, one of Hamas’ leaders in the Gaza Strip confirmed that the group has handed over Shalit to Egypt as part of the prisoner swap with Israel.
In a text message, Mahmoud Zahar said that his group is no longer holding Shalit. Palestinian officials in Gaza said an SUV whisked Shalit across the border and quickly returned to Gaza early Tuesday.
The Shalit family has arrived at the Tel Nof air force base in central Israel, where they will reunite with Gilad.
At Tel Nof, the Shalits hugged Defense Minister Ehud Barak who came to the base. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the family as he arrived, “I am happy we have reached this day. In a short while, Gilad will come back to you.”
Netanyahu told the Shalits that they will receive a photo of Shalit as soon as he reaches Israel.
Shalit’s grandfather Zvi said upon arrival at the Tel Nof Air Force base that the family is being blessed by Gilad’s return. He believes that this is a great day for the State of Israel. He stressed that the family wasn’t celebrating the release of the murderers.
The prisoner exchange deal signaling the end of Shalit’s five-year Hamas captivity began in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as the Israel Prison Service (IPS) shuttled all 477 Palestinian prisoners slated to be released as part of the first stage of the deal to their rendezvous points with Red Cross.
Gilad Shalit’s first stop once back in Israel will be the Amitai IDF Base, where he will finally contact his family, as well as undergo a medical exam. From there he will be flown to the Tel Nof Airbase, where he will reunite with his family for the first time in over five years.
In Tel Nof, Shalit will first meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz. Only later, at a different room in the base restricted to unauthorized military personnel, will Gilad be reunited with his family.
But you should still be happy he’s free!!!!!!
it is bittersweet, I need not explain to anyone why.
We must continue to do teshuva and mitzvos for the zechus of bringing a precious soldier home.
Remember, the Yetzer Hara is additive, so just say NO to him and stay in tahor of Torah and Mitzvos. I will try, hope you do too.
bh gilad shalit is free
i meant #16(teffilin’vs.’ shlaimus haaretz)
Actually click on the article by #17
to #60 and anyone who’s glad that the deal went through.Read what #54 wrote!!!!!! Are you a chassid?Do you believe the rebbe?!!Everything that the rebbe said about eretz yisroel,’don’t give away land,don’t free terrorists etc. etc. because …-dangerous… is happening in front of our eyes what’s happening to us, that we don’t hold exactly of what the rebbe said #52 gave a good sugg..Every day that he’s(now it applies to the other israeli captives)not released we will execute a terrorist.though any(intending) killer of a yid should be killed. to#17:you are using the rebbe(‘s mivtzoim) against the rebbe’s own words that… Read more »
of course they pushed for his release but they should realize what happened
If you are in the army, you are defending Israel, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing.
This is a mistake but I’m so happy for Gilad!!!!!!!!!! His parents were fighting and awaiting this day! Boruch Hashem!! But let’s all daven for Moshiach !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Moshiach Now!!!!!!! Amen!
BARUCH HASHEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can you be so ignorant his grandfather said they are not celebrating the release of the terrorists but you think that means they are not going to push for gilad’s release? Think before you post!
the whole reason why the arabs wanted so much is because they KNOW that not even a billion animals like the arabs is equal to a jew.
u’re right!
im sooo happppy for him yayy mazalllllllllllllllllllllllllllll tov!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You show a very narrow point of view only from Shalit’s view but think of the big picture. This deals endangers all of Israel. Chamas is already openly calling for another Shalit so they can free more of their terrorists. So who doesn’t know what they are talking about? Perhaps it is you?!
RUASHKIN AND POLLARD! Lets do Mitzvos in the name of this event and in the merit of their release!
bh he is back home with his family
Reg: what the rebbe said that terrorist shoul not be realesed are you sure that the same applies to save a jewish soul which is the mitzvah of pidion shevuim
There is nothing to be scared of the thousends of terrorists that were given in change for gilad aviva since moshiach is coming this second. Reg: what the rebbe has said that even one arabe should not be realesed by israel,
i cant believe you even went there…
shameful.
thats it, just shameful.
Gilad was not defending Israel.
He was asleep in his tank, which is why he was able to be captured.
NOT saying he didn’t deserve to get freed, it is a massive simcha and relief, just it must be made clear that he is not a hero in this story.
Nobody is happy about the release of terrorists, but we all must unite together in joy for the return of our brother Gilad, who has finally returned home to Am Yisroel. Now we must all pray to Hashem to protect Israel and the Jewish People.
So thin and frail. You shudder to think what those filthy terrorists subjected him to.
May Hashem send us Moshiach, NOW!
B”H
why do we feed and clothe 1000 plus murderers. Any terrorist who murders a Jew deserves the death penalty and should be immediately killed.
The arabs only had one Jew in captivity whom they r”l kidnapped. They do not have any Jews in their prisons.
i’m so happy for him!!!!!!!!!!!!
The article when saying what happenned described it as a ‘prisoner swap’ which im stressing is not that at all but a ransom. I qoute from the article “Shalit’s grandfather Zvi said upon arrival at the Tel Nof Air Force base that the family is being blessed by Gilad’s return. He stressed that the family wasn’t celebrating the release of the murderers.” The family were the ones who pushed Netanyahu to make the deal already! Wtvr this is all completly messed up. All the arabs should drop dead w Moshiach coming already before yomtov. (Amen recommended)
The israelis and all the liberals dont realize that theyre animals and wont giv up till were all dead. They shouldve shot all those prisoners in the head. They should start w the women and children bc they continue the nation. These moslems are ruining the world and will continue to do so, theyrer ruining england, france, italy etc… MOSHIACH NOW!!!!
finaly!finaly!finaly!
fffffiiiinnnnaaaalllllllyyyyy!!!!!!!!
Baruch Hashem I’m so happy for the whole family and him of course. It’s really good news but unfortanetely bittersweet!!!
Its so nice 2 hear good news after so many tragedies
there are major differences between Gilad and Rubahskin
Why does everyone always have to argue!! Just be happy that he’s home!!!
You don’t know what you are talking about. take your shoes off and put your feet in Gilads shoes. You would be trembling and praying for your release no matter what G-D forbid. You don’t know the measures in which Israel took to release these prisoners. Israel is the smartest country in the world. Trust me, they know what they’re doing! >< ^
Looks like he didn’t have a good meal for a long time..
THE MOST IDIODIC THING IN THE WORLD! its against halacha and the rebbe was a against it. as IF israel cares so much about 1 soldier; soldiers die all the time. it was BRAINLESS to make him sucha big deal and up his value so much.
To those of you who are asking if it was worth it to free so many people for just one, how can you say that! There is a law in the torah that says that we must free a Jew NO MATTER WHAT. It shouldn’t even be a question! of course doing what we had to do to free him was worth it!
how can you say such a thing? this is a jewish life were talking about and you are supposed to use all measures for the sake of a person! after all a person is considered an entire world! and will these thousand soliders actually make a difference to the thousands of terrorists that there already exist and more being created daily and more that the isaraeli army will capture!
I have not seen such an amaciated person since holocaust photos. This man was starved and tortured. His eyes are like black holes that I have only in concentration camp clips. This is an outrage for he was severely abused.
Theres more then one way to look at it, on the one hand free gilad shalit in exchange for a huge amount of terrorists (#24 was right it was a ransom not some sort of ‘swap’). The world sees how much a single jew is worth. The poor guy who suffered so much will finally be able to come home. On the other hand this one guy is being returned in exchange of a bunch of terrorists who not only might but probally will end up doing something bad.Israel doesnt need them to think that they could do it again.… Read more »
EVEN OUR ENEMIES UNDERSTOOD THAT WE ARE SO POWERFUL THAT THEY NEED 1000 ARABS TO COMPARE TO ONE JEW.
it’s 1 jew, and we’ll see vs. how many jews in the coming years…
The issue is not weather he is worth any multiples of them. The issue is that these are convicted terrorist responsible for lots of Jewish blood. The issue is that they are very likely (as proven in the past) to do that again and spill more innocent Jewish blood. they themselves are proclaiming this. they themselves are saying that they will capture more Israelis so they can free the rest of the murderers. So the question is not whether is worth to swap any number of them but weather the price Israel will pay in more killings is worth it.… Read more »
Israel is always caught between a difficult & a more difficult. They are doing what they can with a tough situation.
but netanyahu should have told Hamas that every day he is to released they kill another prisoner and they would have given him back a long time ago and they would not need to free these guys/terrorists
BARUCHHHH HASHHHHEM!!!!!!!!!
you are 100 % right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you have no right to speak this way !!!!
THANK YOU HASHEM
The life of one Jewish person is not even equal to 1 billion Arabs. All you haters who think you know it all should shut your mouths and thank Hashem for his safe return.
they did what they think is right and now just look at the good side of it !!!! think of his poor parents! how hard they musthave suffered! how hard he must hav suffered!
IS SO ANOYING THAT WE NEEDED TO GIVE 1000 TERRORISTS…… THEY SHOULD HAVE INJECTED SOMETHING IN THEIR SKIN SO THAT THEY DIE EVENTUALLY
It’s great and miraculous that Gilad is back. But now blackmailing against Israel has hit an all time record low…. It is time for the president to attack Gaza with all their might, because chos v’shalom Hamas will strike us first anyhow.
MATIR ASURIM!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is our brother. But the Rebbe was still against it so we should be against it
MASHIACH IS DEFF. HERE!!!!
Hav u ever been in prison? With your contrys enemy?
Just put yourself in his position and people say that he had that feeling that he would be freed so it was ment to be and this goes to all the other people who rote mean commenets so all I can sayid put yourself in his position
he is mentally normal?? i was skipping thru the video wanting to see HIM!!! videos of him???
I don’t know how anyone can look at the pictures of a gaunt, weak and ill 25-year-old Gilad Shalit, alive, saluting, and whine “it wasn’t worth it.” How do you know? Who are you to decide? The Torah says clearly the law of captives, and the Rebbe is screaming against the release of terrorists. They could have handled his release in other ways, etc. But say it wasn’t worth it? Chas v’sholom would you hear anyone ever say that. Rabbeinu Gershom sacrificed his freedom to ensure nobles wouldn’t kidnap more Jews for ransom. Who are you to ask Gilad to… Read more »
this is a lubavitch site
who made the decision to let him be freed?
Sad for Israel’s future
MAZAL TOV ONLY BRACHA
Finally! I am happy for Gilad!
Of course saving one Jew is saving the world BUT you cannot save a Jew at the expense of thousands and thousands more Jews getting killed! How many thousands of “worlds” will now be destroyed? This is why it is Assur al pi Torah to do this and why The Rebbe is against this. Of course we are happy Gilad is home but it should have never been done this way! They should have used economic pressure, military force, cutting off aid etc. Anything else but this!!! Now I’m afraid the Jewish people are going to pay a very steep… Read more »
how could you use the word WORTH IT??? can you ever imagine what it means to be in HALL OF HAMAS PRISON BY YOURSELF FOR 5 LONG YEARS TRETED LIKE AN ANIMAL??? or worst being a parent, abrother of a young boy taht his prisoned in their arms??? where is your bitachon in hashem??? nowone will touch our soldiers again!
Look at how gaunt he looks and how energetic the terrorist prisoners look DOES THAT TELL YOU SOMETHING??!
How can you say such a thing? What if Gilad was your son, brother, cousin , friend, etc………..
Baruch Hashem, our Gilad is HOME where he belongs.
What happened to saving one life is like saving the world?
SO PROUD TO BE A JEW!!!!!!!!!
why should they
Of course it’s worth it!!!!!
Please be aware before you get sucked into the media portayal of this as a prisoner swap. It is NOT a prisoner swap. Gilad was kidnapped. The chalerias that are being released are prisoners because they broke the law. A prisoner swap would when we exchange “your spies in jail for ours” or the like
This is a case of a ransom for a kidnapped person. Protest any use of the term “prisoner swap”. Otherwise, you will be in the same category as those who call Judea and Samaria as “occupied territories”.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) – Tens of thousands of flag-waving Palestinians celebrated the homecoming Tuesday of hundreds of prisoners exchanged for an Israeli soldier, with the crowd exhorting militants to seize more soldiers for future swaps.
Boruch matir assirim.
Welcome home Brother
When I was in israel in saw a bunch of pictures of him to let him free. HE IS FREE NOW!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!! MAZAL TOV!
No. 3 – are you nuts with that comment? Do you want to go through what this young man went through? Even a million arabs for one jew is fine.
This one life will likely take several hundred in coming years!! Cursed is that stupid and twisted Israeli Govt! Where is Kahane when u need him!!!
We are happy at his return, but object to the way it was done and its long-term repercussions; see here:
The Shalit deal—disgraceful and deadly http://a-farbrengen.blogspot.com/2011/10/shalit-deal-disgraceful-and-deadly.html
to NO.3# Remember mivtza tefillin and Hashem and The Rebbe will protect us from releasing 1000 terrorist! MOSHIACH NOW!
The Shulchan Aruch states clearly that it is prohibited to redeem captives for “more than their value” and the Rebbe spoke at length Motzoei Shabbos Bamidbar 5739 (1979) about the absurdity in releasing 76 terrorists for one soldier, explaining that this will lead to exhorbitant demands in the future and to the kidnapping of many more soldiers. The Rebbe mentioned that is obvious that these terrorists will return to murder Jews, thus placing many more Jews in danger of life, and compared this deal to someone who is receiving a torrent of spit and is rejoicing thinking that it is… Read more »
this made my dau!
Wonderful that Gilad hasd been returned. Unfortunate that such a high price had to be paid in the release of so manyheinous murderers. may this be the beginning for the release of all Jewish prisoners, starting with Sh. Mor.Rubashkin.
BTW, other Chabad sites reported this story.
just realize that its showing the world that one jew is worth 1027 terrorists and also that no other people (isrealis) want to go to the army because they say that if it took them 5 years to get gilad shalit out then what happens if we get captured we dont want to be a prisinor for 5 years my opinion is to desease them with aids ( so it could spreat to the rest of them) chochmas sydney
Iz agantz freeing iven 1 terrorist
We should all have the complete geula with moshiach tzidkeinu NOW!
how can you say the same for rubashkin… THE SITUATION IS VERY DIFFERENT!!!!!!
Gilad was defending Israel when he was captured against his will…
I am delighted for Gilad and his dear parents.
They should have a lot of nachus from him.
No other Chabad website headlined this news as it was happening. Kudos to col for realizing this story is what the Jewish world wants this morning may it be a harbinger of the good kvitel for all of us tomorrow
am yisroel chai!!! We just need to increase security, and ensure that the released 1027 terrorists meet there end soon. May all yidden have yeshuos as these! Moshiach now!!
Amen
The 1000 terrorist that were freed will maybe R”L capture more Israelis?????????????
lets daven for the same to happe to rubashken
very happy for him i hope that the swap wont be dangerous for us though