Photo Gallery A Soldier's Return
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on hand to welcome Gilad Shalit back to Israel, as was his father Noam (r). Shalit was released on Tuesday as part of a prisoner exchange with the Palestinians. Netanyahu warned those released in exchange for Shalit, saying that "every released terrorist who returns to terror will be held accountable."
Gilad Shalit speaks to his family after his realease. The entire country of Israel erupted in a national outpouring of joy after Shalit returned home.
Shalit, who is now 25, spent more than five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Several past attempts to negotiate his release failed. He was initially handed over to Egypt. Here, he is seen giving an interview on Egyptian television.
The first television images of Shalit on Tuesday show him encircled by security personnel.
"I missed my family very much," Shalit said during his interview with Egyptian television. "I hope this deal will promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians."
In exchange for Shalit's freedom, Israel released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Here, a busload of former prisoners crosses into the Gaza Strip from Egypt.
The released Palestinian prisoners were greeted by mass celebrations in Gaza. Some chanted "the people want a new Gilad," urging the capture of more Israelis.
A Palestinian prisoner hugs relatives after she arrived in the West Bank following her release as part of the prisoner exchange.
The transfer of prisoners began in the early morning hours. Here, a convoy carrying Palestinian prisoners leaves the Ketziot prison camp in the Negev Desert.
The convoy of Palestinian prisoners was escorted by dozens of police vehicles as it made its way to the Egyptian border.
Television images showed Shalit being escorted to a waiting vehicle soon after his release.
Representatives of the International Red Cross waiting at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt for the released Palestinian prisoners to arrive in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian supporters of Hamas celebrate the release of prisoners on Tuesday.
Many of the released prisoners were taken to the West Bank as well. Here, a group waits for a bus full of released prisoners to arrive.
Hamas militants stood on guard at the Rafah Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Shalit's family being escorted by Israeli soldiers to a helicopter which was to take them to an army base to be reunited with Gilad.
One day prior to Shalit's release, Gilad's father Noam Shalit attended a court hearing of appeals by families of Palestinian attack victims who had attempted to block the prisoner exchange.
Palestinian militants standing guard on the main road in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, on Monday.
Gaza's Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh waves to families of Palestinian prisoners at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
