Gilad Shalit Returns Home

After 1,941 days in Hamas captivity, Gilad Shalit has finally reunited with his family: Less than an hour after the IDF soldier's release and return to Israel, an IAF helicopter transported him to Tel Nof air base in central Israel, where he met his loved ones.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also met with Shalit at the base. He told him: "Welcome back to the State of Israel. It's so good to have you home."

After returning to Israel just before noon on Tuesday, Shalit underwent a physical examination. IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai said his medical condition was "good and stable". Shalit also showered, put on an IDF uniform and spoke with his parents before flying to Tel Nof.

The freed Israeli soldier entered the Kerem Shalom crossing just before noon on Tuesday and was greeted by Israeli army officers, including OC Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Tal Rousso.

Netanyahu said during a ceremony at Tel Nof air base that the decision to make a deal with Hamas for Shalit's release was difficult. "As a soldier I went on dangerous missions and always knew that if I fell captive the Israeli government will do everything in its power to secure my release and that is what I did."

He further added: "The State of Israel will continue to fight against terror and any terrorist who resumes terror activities – on their head be it." Netanyahu said that the moments spent with Gilad Shalit were very moving and noted that today was "a hard day".

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Shalit looks perfectly well noting he showed amazing self-restraint.

'It was our responsibility to take any necessary measure to bring him home safely even at a heavy cost, but not at any cost, and we did this today," he said.

In an interview broadcast by Egyptian television on Tuesday moments after he was transferred into Egyptian custody, Shalit said, "I thought I'd find myself in this situation for many years to come".

Shalit said that he received word of his expected release last week. "I've felt it coming in the past month. I'm very excited."

At the beginning of the interview, Gilad was asked about his medical condition, to which he replied: "I don't feel so well from the whole affair." However, he was translated back into Arabic as saying: "I feel good."

This article is reprinted from Ynet with permission.