Gilad Shalit Released

The World
The World

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has arrived back in Israel following his release from five years of captivity, as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Sergeant 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.

Shalit, 25, was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunneled into Israel.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!