Gilad Shalit back in Israel after prisoner swap (VIDEO)
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is interviewed on Egyptian TV in a screengrab from Israel’s Channel 10.
In his first television interview after being released from prison early Tuesday, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit said he was in good health – and that he hoped the prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinians would lead to peace between the two sides.
Shalit, who was held captive for five years by Gaza rulers Hamas, was freed in return for the release of 1027 Palestinian prisoners.
The Jewish Journal reported that he looked “tired and dazed” as he responded to questions in an interview with Egyptian television.
(Read more on GlobalPost: Gilad Shalit moved to Egypt as Israel and Palestinians begin prisoner swap VIDEO)
According to the International Middle East Media Center, Shalit said he discovered one week ago that he was to be freed.
Speaking through a translator, Shalit said he would like to tell people about his years in captivity – and that he would like to see the thousands of Palestinians held in prison by Israel go free.
I would be happy if they were released to be able to go back home to their land and their parents. I would be happy if that happens.
Shalit will be taken to the Tel Nof Air Force base south of Tel Aviv, where he will be greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with members of his family.
The International Middle East Media Center reported:
"Waleed Al Omary, head of the Al Jazeera TV office in Palestine, said that Shalit will first be checked-up, before being airlifted to a military base were Israeli officials and his family will be waiting for him. Afterwards, he will be airlifted to a military base in Tel Aviv before he heads back home."
Meanwhile the London Telegraph reported that buses carrying the first batch of 477 Palestinian prisoners being released as part of the deal have entered the Gaza Strip.
They reportedly crossed the border from Egypt moments after Shalit arrived in Israel.
(GlobalPost in pictures: Gilad Shalit: A retrospective)
VIDEO – Gilad Shalit gives his first television interview after being released:
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