watching EuroNews on tv, they showed video of him being released in Egypt.
Said Netanyahu was with his parents, and that he spoke with them.
The Telegraph’s Richard Spencer reports from Israel on Gilad Shalit’s touchdown to the Tel Nof Air Base where he will meet his family:
Shalit is wearing the uniform of a Sergeant First Class, the rank to which he was promoted in honour of his release. Apparently three sets of uniform were taken to the point where he entered Israel as no-one was sure what size he would be after three years in captivity.
Here’s some comments about his health and condition....keep in mind he had not been seen by Israel Dr.s when he did the Egytian interview.....
Schalit — the first Israeli soldier returned home alive in 26 years — had not been seen in public since his capture....
Among those around Schalit in those first moments was Ahmed Jabari, the shadowy head of Hamas’ militant wing, one of Israel’s most wanted militants.
Shalit actually walked free on Tuesday,..... The gaunt, sallow and uncomfortable looking Schalit appeared to struggle to speak at times, during an Egytian news interview.....(Israeli security officials told Israeli YNet News that the interview was a violation of the deal for Schalit’s release.)
His breathing was noticeably labored as he awkwardly answered questions.......”he seemed extremely tired, thin and pale, voice very faint, very difficult to concentrate. I had to repeat the questions several times,”.... Amin, his Egyptian interviewer stated to The Associated Press.
So .... frail he passed out on the helicopter ride home,......he showed signs of malnutrition and lack of exposure to the sun.....the last few years in “isolation”.......”After a medical examination, Israeli officials said Schalit showed signs of malnutrition......
The circumstances of his release, along with the awkward TV interview, raised questions about the conditions the 25-year-old had endured. Since Shalit’s capture Hamas has not allowed Shalit to receive visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross
“Hello Gilad, it’s so good to have you home,” Netanyahu told the freed soldier.
“Sorry I am so weak,” Shalit told Netanyahu.
Meanwhile the Palestinians:
In Gaza City, tens of thousands crammed into an open lot where a huge stage was set up, decorated with a mural depicting Schalit’s capture in a June 2006 raid on an army base near the Gaza border.
The crowd exhorted militants to seize more soldiers for future swaps.
To Hamas, the militant Palestinian group which controls Gaza, the prisoner swap deal is being portrayed as a great victory....prisoners and demonstrators made glaring demands for more soldier kidnappings to bring home the thousands of Palestinians who remain in Israeli prisons.
Hamas turned Tuesday’s celebration in Gaza into a show of strength for the Islamic militant movement.