Gilad Shalit

Gilad Shalit

An Israeli soldier taken hostage by Palestinian militants on June 25, 2006.
Date of Birth: 28.08.1986
Country: Israel

Content:
  1. Gilad Shalit: Captured and Held Hostage
  2. Early Life and Family
  3. Education and Military Service
  4. Capture and Prisoner Exchange Demands
  5. Military Operation and Negotiations
  6. Imprisonment and Release

Gilad Shalit: Captured and Held Hostage

Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier, was captured by Palestinian militants on June 25, 2006, during a cross-border raid.

Gilad Shalit

Early Life and Family

Born in August 1986 in the northern Israeli town of Mitzpe Hila, Shalit is the son of Noam and Aviva, French immigrants. He has two siblings: Yoel (older brother) and a younger sister. Shalit holds dual Israeli-French citizenship.

Gilad Shalit

Education and Military Service

After graduating high school in 2004, Shalit was drafted into the Israeli Defense Forces in 2005. He volunteered for combat duty, a testament to his patriotic spirit.

Gilad Shalit

Capture and Prisoner Exchange Demands

On June 25, 2006, Palestinian militants launched a raid into Israel, attacking an Israeli outpost near the Kerem Shalom kibbutz. Shalit was among the Israeli soldiers injured in the attack, sustaining a broken left arm and a shoulder wound.

Gilad Shalit

The captors, Hamas' armed wing, demanded the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons in exchange for Shalit's release.

Military Operation and Negotiations

Israel responded to Shalit's capture with Operation Summer Rains, which began on June 28. The operation resulted in the discovery of the body of another kidnapped Israeli, Eliyahu Asheri.

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak mediated negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian government. Hamas demanded the release of 1000 Palestinian prisoners by July 4, threatening to end the negotiations over Shalit's fate.

Imprisonment and Release

Despite international pressure, negotiations dragged on for five years. Shalit was subjected to harsh conditions during his captivity, including solitary confinement.

On October 11, 2011, after extensive negotiations, a prisoner exchange deal was reached between Israel and Hamas. Shalit was released in exchange for the release of 1027 Palestinian prisoners.

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