General

Shalit released to family in Israel

Captured Israeli soldier appears weak and frail

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is back home, 1,941 days after he was kidnapped by Hamas fighters and held in Gaza. Shalit was freed after the Palestinian group struck a deal with the Israeli government that includes the release of 1,207 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom had been convicted of terrorist attacks against Israel. “I know the pain of families [whose relatives were killed by those released] ….is beyond description,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in a public letter, acknowledging the criticism he’s received for agreeing to the prisoner exchange. Shalit appeared weak and gaunt upon his release, bolstering reports that he was mistreated by his Palestinian captors.

The Guardian

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