Gilad Shalit Exchange

Context

Gilad Shalit was abducted on the morning of Sunday, June 25, 2006. The tank in which he was stationed had been deployed to carry out a surveillance mission near the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip. Terrorists had infiltrated the Israeli side of the border through a tunnel they dug near the Kerem Shalom land crossing.

During this attack, the tank commander, Lieutenant Hanan Barak, as well as the other soldier in the tank, Staff Sergeant Pavel Slutsker, were killed. The remaining soldier was wounded. The terrorists kidnapped Gilad Shalit, and brought him back to the Gaza Strip.

Conduct of Operation "Redemption of the Firstborn"

Gilad Shalit was handed back to Israel on October 18, 2011. He first arrived in Egyptian territory, and was transferred from Hamas to representatives of the Egyptian government at the Rafah crossing.

He was later transferred to Israeli territory via the Kerem Shalom crossing point, and was taken to an Israeli army base nearby.

During this first phase, Gilad Shalit was assisted by representatives of the Human Resources Branch of the IDF, and a doctor checked his health. These medical examinations confirmed that Gilad Shalit’s health was stable. Gilad Shalit then spoke with his family over the phone. The spokesman said that this was a "very moving" conversation.

Then, on the afternoon of October 18, 2011, the helicopter carrying Gilad Shalit landed at the Tel Nof base. Gilad Shalit was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Chief of the General Staff Benny Gantz, who escorted him to his family members.

"Hello Gilad. It’s so good to have you home," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said when Gilad Shalit came down from the helicopter.

Gilad Shalit reunited with his parents after being held hostage by Hamas for five years.

Gilad Shalit reunited with his parents after being held hostage by Hamas for five years.

Gilad Shalit and his family finally took off from the Tel Nof Air Force Base in the direction of their home in Mitzpe Hila, a village in northern Israel. Before leaving the Air Force base, Gilad Shalit had undergone a second, more thorough medical examination at a medical center specially set up for the occasion.

Chief of the General Staff Benny Gantz wrote in an official letter:

"On behalf of all the soldiers, who bear responsibility for the security of the country, whether they serve on land, water, air, office or field, across the country, in their tanks, planes, or boats - on behalf of the entire IDF, I congratulate you and your family on coming back to us. "