Set as Homepage
Thu, Dec 22, 2011
26 Kislev, 5772
Breaking News
Diplomacy & Politics
Defense
National News
Middle East
International
Iranian Threat
Business
Sports
Health & Science
Opinion
Columnists
Editorials
Op-Eds
Letters
Jewish World
Jewish News
Jewish Features
Judaism
Lifestyle
Arts & Culture
Food & Wine
Travel
Real Estate
Features
Inside Israel
The Israel Factor
Insights & Features
Week in review
Blogs
In the news
Judaism
From the Middle East
Lifestyle
Aliyah
Science and Technology
Premium Zone
The Experts
The Jerusalem Report
Dash
20 Questions
e-paper
Ivrit
Magazine
Metro
In Jerusalem
Christian Edition
My JPost
Advertise with Us
Subscription Center
RSS feeds
News Ticker
Facebook
Twitter
Classifieds
Français
JPost Apps
JPost Toolbar
JPost Kotel Cam
JPost Newsletter
JPost Alert
JPost Sticker
IPhone APP
JPost Conference NYC
About
From the Editor
Program
Registration
Sponsors
Speakers
JPost Games
Green Israel
Breaking News
JPost.com
Diplomacy and Politics
Photo by: GPO
Schalit reunites with parents, PM welcomes him to Israel
By JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV KATZ AND HERB KEINON
10/18/2011 13:22
Netanyahu to freshly-released IDF soldier: "Welcome to Israel, it's good that you're home"; Schalit finishes undergoing medical examinations at Tel Nof IAF base, set to fly home to Mitzpe Hila.
Talkbacks (
)
Gilad Schalit was
welcomed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
as he landed at Tel Nof Air Force base in Rehovot on Tuesday, before being reunited with his family after five years in Hamas captivity.
As Schalit stepped of the helicopter that brought him to the base, the prime minister said to him: "Welcome to Israel, it's good that you're home."
RELATED:
Live blog: The Schalit deal is underway
High Court decides not to intervene in Schalit swap
Security prisoners hold off on celebrating early releases
Before Schalit met with his parents, Netanyahu told them: "I brought you back your child."
IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz welcomed Schalit to Israel, calling him a hero.
When the helicopter carrying Schalit landed, Gantz boarded it, Schalit saluted and then Gantz saluted back. "I am proud of you and the way you survived a difficult period," Gantz told Schalit.
After meeting with his family - his mother, father, grandfather, brother and sister - Schalit underwent further medical examinations at the IAF base. He was scheduled to board an IAF helicopter and fly home to Mitzpe Hila at approximately 4 p.m.
The soldier was declared healthy following an initial IDF medical examination at an IDF base in the South.
The IDF said that even though Schalit was in reasonably good health, there were a few issues that caused concern including his pale skin and the fact that he was limping.
The IDF doctors noted that he was very pale which indicates that he was not exposed to sunlight during his captivity. They also noted that he was much skinnier than when he was captured which suggests that he was malnourished. The IDF medical team suspected that the limp was from an injury he had when he was captured in 2006.
Noam and Aviv Schalit, Gilad's parents, had a brief and emotional telephone conversation with him while he was at the southern base.
Earlier on Tuesday, the IDF confirmed that Schalit was on Israeli soil, as Egyptian TV released video footage of the solider in Egypt.
The IDF previously confirmed that Schalit had been officially released and identified and would pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Egyptian military officials received Schalit from Hamas control on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing and updated the IDF command post at the Kerem Shalom crossing of the transaction earlier on Tuesday morning.
Upon passing into Israel, Schalit was guarded by soldiers of the Israel Air Force's 669 unit, who will accompany him until he is home safe in Mitzpe Hila.
As part of a carefully orchestrated prisoner swap, Israel
released 477 Palestinian prisoners
on Tuesday morning, with a further 550 set for release in two months' time.
JPost iPhone App
JPost Newsletter
JPost Store
Tweet
Talkback
Please enable JavaScript to view the
comments powered by Disqus.
Tweet
Send
Large
Small
Print
Share
JPost Services
Store
Newsletter
iPhone App
Toolbar
Kolbo Alert
Desktop App
Premium Zone
Britain stands alone in Euro’s darkest hour
By TIMOTHY SPANGLER
Israel's national police force: Far from 'Israel's finest'
By YOAV COHEN AND DANIEL...
The rule of law? Don’t make them laugh
By EVELYN GORDON
Candidly Speaking: The NYT hates Israel
By ISI LEIBLER
Opinion and Features
1
2
3
Wheels of justice
JPOST EDITORIAL
Postmodernism in masorti education
HANAN A....
The media boomerang effect
YISRAEL MEDAD...
An emerging new world order
JOHN GRUMMER
Iowa and the Jews, then and now
RAFAEL MEDOFF
North Korea and H5N1– a sense of proportion
GWYNNE DYER
Fundamentally Freund: Would the Maccabees be proud?
MICHAEL FREUND
The racism bluff
GUSTAVO D....
Caught at the crossroads
DOUGLAS M....
Tel Nof
Schalit
Gilad Schalit
IDF
Egypt
Rafah
Gaza
Palestinian prisoners
prisoner swap
Netanyahu
Israel Focus
Meir Panim
Soon to feed thousands From Kiryat Gat Need your help
Davka Chanukah Gift Bundle
Four best-selling programs for the entire family at an amazing price!
Jerusalem Post Store
Books, jewelry, gifts, judaica, apparel, replicas of ancient finds
Bank Leumi USA
Coast to Coast Financial Expertise
Facts For A Better Future
Are you sick and tired of the unfair smears and attacks on Israel?
Prosperity real estate
Finding your home in Jerusalem is Prosperity's business
Technion
Israel institute of technology
Global programs in English
OPEN HOUSE @ IDC HERZLIA
Live in Israel Study in English January 6, 2012
Meet Jewish Singles
Last year, Jdate helped 21,000+ people meet their soulmates. Start now!
Huge Collection of Judaica
Jewish Gifts, Kippot, Jewelry Great Prices & Best Service
Learn Hebrew in 10 days!
Private schools in Israel Online skype courses Fast. Efficient. Friendly.
Learn Hebrew with us
Get 10 minutes free personal coaching in Hebrew through phone or Skype
Save up to 60%
of the price
with Tour&Smile;'s same-day implants offer
Nefesh B'Nefesh Guided Aliyah
Already living in Israel? Enjoy the Benefits of Aliyah!
Bank Hapoalim
Israeli's number one bank
Jerusalem Post Lite
Light Edition of the Jerusalem Post for English improvement
Real Estate
Mishkenot Ha'uma
Stage 2 apartments are now available
Travel
Hertz Car Rental
Our prices will surprise you!
Web
JPost.com