Gilad Shalit reunites with family in IDF base following return to Israel
Israeli soldier, who was released from Hamas captivity after 5 years, will also meet Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak.
By Ilan Lior and HaaretzTags: Shalit swapGilad ShalitHamasIDF
Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit arrived at an Israel Air Force in central Israel on Tuesday, where he reunited with his family for the first since being released from Hamas captivity and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Meeting Shalit after the Israeli soldier arrived at the Tel Nof IAF base, Netanyahu said: "Hello, Gilad. Welcome back to Israel. It's so good to have you home."\
Shalitis set to
Shalit was officially passed into Israeli custody earlier Tuesday, after spending 1,940 days in Hamas captivity.
Immediately following his release, Shalit spoke to his family on the phone, for the first time since being taken captive by Hamas, over five years ago.
According to IDF Spokesman Yoav Mordechai, a physical examination of the IDF soldier has found that Shalit was in good health, and would leave soon to reunite with his family members.
A military helicopter carrying Shalit is due to arrive at IAF Tel Nof base, where he is to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reunite with his family.
Shalit's return to Israel came after the IDF has officially passed into Israeli custody less than an hour earlier, and after Egyptian TV released the first images of the Israeli soldier since his release.
In an interview to the Egyptian Nile TV station Shalit said he was informed of a deal to secure his release a week ago, adding that he missed his family and friends.
An Israel Defense Forces official confirmed that Shalit was identified at the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and was "alive and well."
Meeting Shalit after the Israeli soldier arrived at the Tel Nof IAF base, Netanyahu said: "Hello, Gilad. Welcome back to Israel. It's so good to have you home."\
Shalitis set to
Shalit was officially passed into Israeli custody earlier Tuesday, after spending 1,940 days in Hamas captivity.
Immediately following his release, Shalit spoke to his family on the phone, for the first time since being taken captive by Hamas, over five years ago.
According to IDF Spokesman Yoav Mordechai, a physical examination of the IDF soldier has found that Shalit was in good health, and would leave soon to reunite with his family members.
A military helicopter carrying Shalit is due to arrive at IAF Tel Nof base, where he is to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reunite with his family.
Shalit's return to Israel came after the IDF has officially passed into Israeli custody less than an hour earlier, and after Egyptian TV released the first images of the Israeli soldier since his release.
In an interview to the Egyptian Nile TV station Shalit said he was informed of a deal to secure his release a week ago, adding that he missed his family and friends.
An Israel Defense Forces official confirmed that Shalit was identified at the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and was "alive and well."
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