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TEL NOF AIR BASE, Israel (AP) — Freed Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit has arrived at an air base in central Israel for an eagerly awaited reunion with his family.
Schalit landed at Tel Nof air base on board a military helicopter.
His parents, Noam and Aviva, have led an emotional campaign to win their son’s release for the past five years. They have led nationwide marches and set up a protest tent outside the official residence of the prime minister.
Earlier Tuesday, Hamas militants in Gaza freed Schalit in a swap for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Ahead of the reunion, Schalit switched out of civilian clothes given to him by Hamas and into an Israeli military uniform.
AP’s EARLIER STORY IS BELOW.
Released Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, second right, walks with his father Noam, right, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second left, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, left, at the Tel Nof Air base in southern Israel on Oct. 18, 2011.
(from WashingtonTimes.com) TEL NOF AIR BASE, Israel (AP) — Looking thin, weary and dazed, an Israeli soldier returned home Tuesday from more than five years of captivity in the Gaza Strip in exchange for [over 1,000] Palestinian prisoners…
Sgt. Gilad Schalit, in a brief interview with Egyptian TV before being transferred to Israel, said he was “very excited to taste freedom and had missed his family and friends. He said he feared he would remain in captivity “many more years” and worried since being told of the deal last week that last-minute hitches might cause it to collapse.
“Of course I missed my family. I missed friends, meeting people to talk to people, and not to sit all day, to do the same things,” he said.
But Schalit’s physical appearance raised questions about the condition of his captivity in the hands of the Hamas militant group. The 25-year-old appeared pale and gaunt, shifted in his seat, struggled to breathe and seemed to mumble as he answered the questions.
Later, Israeli TV stations showed him being helped into an army jeep after crossing the border into Israel. And military officials said a physical exam had found him to be in good condition.
Hamas agreed to release Schalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, many of them serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis. The arrivals of the prisoners set off ecstatic celebrations in the [Palestinian areas of the] West Bank and Gaza Strip, where large crowds and [Hamas officials] greeted them.
In Gaza, prisoners embraced and shook hands with Hamas leaders at the Rafah border crossing. Some prisoners were carried on the shoulders of others. Palestinian [officials] formed a reception line, like at a wedding, shaking hands and in some cases hugging the prisoners.
In the West Bank, released prisoners were taken to the grave of [long-time] Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greeted them, and several thousand people filled the courtyard outside his headquarters to celebrate.
“We thank God for your return and your safety,” Abbas said. “You are freedom fighters and holy warriors for the sake of God and the homeland.”
But the return was marred by violence at a crossing between the West Bank and Israel. Military officials said troops fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that began to riot because of delays in the release. [The delays were caused by prisoners who were refusing to be sent back to Gaza, but insisted they be permitted to go to Egypt.] No injuries were reported.
The deal, the most lopsided prisoner swap in Israeli history, caps a five-and-a-half-year saga that has seen multiple Israeli military offensives in Gaza, an Israeli blockade on the territory and numerous rounds of failed negotiations.
Ibrahim Barzak in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, and Tia Goldenberg and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Associated Press. Reprinted from the Washington Times for educational purposes only. Visit the website at washingtontimes.com.
Questions
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, read details under “Background” below, and watch the videos under “Resources.”
1. When/how was Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit taken prisoner by Hamas terrorists?
2. a) How did Schalit appear upon his release?
b) Compare the physical appearance of Schalit with that of the Palestinians released from Israeli jails. (Watch the videos under “Resources”)
3. How many Palestinian prisoners were released from prison by the Israeli government in exchange for Gilad Schalit?
4. For what reason were many of the Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails?
5. Before he was turned over to Israeli officials at the Egypt-Gaza border, the Egyptians had Gilad Schalit do an interview with Egyptian state TV. Gilad was held in isolation and denied his rights under the Geneva Convention that he have contact with his family, and visits from the Red Cross. What do you think of the reporter’s second to last question (at approximately 2:20 on the video) asking Schalit if he will fight for the release of Palestinian prisoners still held in Israeli jails?
6. The exchange of Israeli solider Gilad Schalit for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were convicted terrorists responsible for the murder of Israeli civilians, was controversial in Israel. Many Israelis (led by Schalit’s family) demanded that the government secure Schalit’s freedom at any cost. Many others, (led by families of those murdered by the imprisoned Palestinians) demanded that the government not release those guilty of murder. And others argued that exchanging prisoners for a kidnapped Israeli soldier would only lead to more soldiers being captured to be used as bargaining chips.
[Upon his own release this week, Hamas leader Yehiye Sinwar called on Hamas to kidnap more Israeli soldiers in order to free the remaining Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, the Associated Press reports. Several thousand are still held by Israel on a range of security offenses. Sinwar said: “We shall spare no efforts to liberate the rest of our brothers and sisters. We urge the Al Qassam Brigades (the Hamas military wing) to kidnap more soldiers to exchange them for the freedom of our loved ones who are still behind bars.”]The opinions of Israelis who wanted Gilad released at any cost and others who didn’t think Palestinian terrorists should be released in exchange for his return are both understandable. Do you think Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the right decision? Explain your answer.
Background
After more than five years held in captivity in Gaza, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is to be freed in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Here is a look at some of the main issues surrounding the saga. (from “Q&A: Gilad Shalit Release Deal” at bbc.co.uk)
How was Gilad Schalit captured?
Gilad Schalit, then 19, was abducted on June 25, 2006 by a joint force of Palestinian militants who tunneled under the Gaza-Israel border, ambushing an Israeli army post.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others were injured during the raid near the Kerem Shalom checkpoint. Two Palestinian militants also died. Sgt Shalit – then a corporal and tank gunner – was reported to have suffered shrapnel wounds.
The raid was claimed by Hamas’ military wing, in league with an umbrella group called the Popular Resistance Committees which includes members of Fatah, Islamic Jihad, Hamas and a previously unknown group calling itself the Army of Islam.
What happened immediately after Sgt Schalit’s abduction?
Three days after the raid, having demanded Sgt. Schalit’s unconditional release, Israel launched its first ground invasion into Gaza since its unilateral withdrawal from the strip a year earlier.
In the days and weeks which followed, further incursions and air strikes were carried out and dozens of MPs from Hamas’ political wing in the West Bank were arrested.
Israel said the action was aimed at freeing Sgt. Schalit and preventing rocket fire which had continued from Gaza into Israel since the 2005 withdrawal. In a month of military raids, more than 100 Palestinians died and an Israeli soldier was killed.
The situation in Gaza became overshadowed by Israel’s conflict in the north with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, who seized two soldiers and killed five others on July 12, 2006.
Sgt Schalit continued to be held in a secret location and was denied any visits by the Red Cross or any other persons. Only one concrete proof of life was provided, in October 2009 when Hamas released a video of the gaunt-looking soldier holding that day’s newspaper and appealing to the Israeli government to do whatever necessary to get him freed.
What is the deal which was eventually reached to free Sgt Schalit?
Israel initially refused to negotiate at all, but later entered indirect talks brokered by Egypt, with the involvement of a German mediator.
After some five years of delicate negotiations, on 11 October 2011 both Israel and Hamas announced a deal had been signed to bring the issue to an end.
Under the terms, Israel would initially release of 477 Palestinian prisoners, plus another 550 after Sgt Schalit returns home.
Hamas leaders, as well as Palestinians jailed for deadly attacks against Israelis, were among those to be freed.
Freeing prisoners “with blood on their hands” – those who have been responsible for the deaths of Israelis – is a hugely emotive issue in Israel.
Hamas however failed to secure the release of [terrorist and convicted murderer Hamas leader] Marwan Bargouti…
Some prisoners will be transferred from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip, while others will be sent into exile abroad. Both sides hailed the deal as a victory.
SOME OF THE PALESTINIAN PRISONERS RELEASED FROM ISRAELI JAILS IN EXCHANGE FOR ISRAELI SOLDIER GILAD SCHALIT:
- Nasser Iteima: Helped bomb Netanya hotel in 2002 – 30 people killed
- Walid Anjes: Helped bomb Moment cafe in Jerusalem in 2002 – 11 people killed
- Yehia Sanwar: A founder of Hamas militant wing. Serving multiple life sentences
- Jihad Yaghmour: Took part in execution of Israeli solder Nachson Waxman in 1994
- Mohammed al-Sharatha: A leader of the elite Hamas 101 unit. Multiple life terms
- Nael Barguti: Arrested in April 1978 and convicted of role in death of Israeli soldier
- Rawhi al-Mushtaha: Senior Hamas leader. Multiple life sentences
- Amna Muna: Serving life for luring Israeli teenager to his death
PALESTINIANS DENIED SCHALIT HIS HUMAN RIGHTS GUARANTEED UNDER GENEVA CONVENTIONS:
Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit’s capture was often referred to as a kidnapping because he was not granted any of the human rights due to a captured soldier under the Geneva Conventions, which entitles them to receive visits from the Red Cross and to communicate with family members, and because a ransom, even if not of a monetary nature, was demanded for his return.
Hamas refused requests from the International Committee of the Red Cross to allow the ICRC to visit Schalit. Multiple human rights organizations have stated that the terms and conditions of Schalit’s confinement were contrary to international humanitarian law. The United Nations called for Schalit to be released.
The only contact between Schalit and the outside world after his capture [in over 5 years] was three letters, one audio tape, and a video of Schalit that Israel received in 2009 in return for releasing 20 female Palestinian prisoners.
In exchange for his release, Hamas demanded the release of over 1,000 Palestinians serving prison sentences in Israel . A major sticking point in negotiations for the release of Schalit was Hamas’ insistence on the release of Marwan Bargouti, currently serving five life sentences in Israel for murder. (from wikipedia)
Resources
Video #1: Gilad Schalit’s Egyptian TV interview prior to being released to Israeli:
Videos #2 and #3: Compare the physical appearance of the released Palestinian terrorists with that of Israeli solider Gilad Schalit:
Gilad Schalit arrives in Israel:
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