Helping a friend: Some of Gilad Shalit's IDF comrades arrived at the Tel HaShomer IDF base Tuesday to hand back their military equipment and officially complete their military service. Immediately following their release, Shalit's friends made their way to the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv and met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
At the start of the meeting, Barak told the seven young men that "as a commander in the army in the past and present, I see a moral duty…to do everything that can be done so we can bring Shalit back home."
Shalit's friends march to Defense Ministry (Photo: Ofer Amram)
Following the meeting, Shalit's friends were scheduled to head to the rally in support of Gilad at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. They are expected to meet Shalit's parents, Noam and Aviva, at the rally.
One of Shalit's friends, Oren Matsri, told Ynet:: "Gilad is very strong mentally. He amazed me the way he overcame the difficulties in the army. I believe in him and I know that he's bravely surviving over there."
"We will do everything we can, and the pressure will ultimately have an effect and he will be back," Matsri said.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report