Shalit leaves home to visit friends
Fewer spectators and reporters enable freed soldier to leave his residence. IDF Chief Gantz wishes him quick return to normalcy
Eight days after he was released from Hamas captivity, Gilad Shalit has made another step towards returning to a normal routine. On Wednesday afternoon, Shalit left his home in Mitzpe Hila to visit his friends.
The IDF hopes to see Shalit resume his life as it was prior to the kidnapping as quickly as possible. "Let us wish Staff-Sergeant Shalit and his family a successful reunification, and hope for days of routine and happiness," IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said at the cadets' course graduation ceremony on Wednesday.
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In recent days, the large number of visitors who flocked to Mitzpe Hila has reduced. In addition, there are fewer reporters outside his home, which allowed Shalit to leave his home with greater ease. After a visit of that lasted for about an hour, he returned home together with two of his friends.
On Tuesday, Shalit underwent physical tests in central Israel. So far, since returning from captivity, Shalit swam in the ocean, rode his bike and hosted President Shimon Peres in his home.
Residents of Mitzpe Hila said that they were pleased with the dwindling number of visitors in their community but nonetheless noted that there were quite a few eccentric individuals who have come to the town demanding to see Shalit.
Meanwhile, speaking to cadets at an army base in southern Israel, Gantz referred to the possible increase in the threat of terrorism following the release of hundreds of murderers in the swap deal. He said that the Israeli government "was aware of the price and the possible security challenge the deal poses, but alongside this awareness, the fact that we are committed to our soldiers was also important and it turned out to be the decisive factor."
Gantz (left) and Barak at cadets graduation ceremony on Wednesday (Photo: Herzl Yosef)
According to Gantz, "This commitment and sense of responsibility is admired by commanders of foreign armies I have spoken with after Gilad's return. They were impressed by the fact that in the IDF, every soldier counts. That is the strength of the alliance between the State of Israel and its guardians, of our commitment to our mission and our people."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak reiterated his call Wednesday to examine the policy pertaining to future prisoner exchange deals. "We will now have to discuss the norms we would be required to uphold in the future; we will have to reach difficult decisions and stand behind them."
Ilana Curiel contributed to the report
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