BICOM

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz met with Noam and Aviva Shalit, the parents of captured IDF soldier Gilad, yesterday evening and confirmed that their son will be returning to Israel on Tuesday. Gantz visited the Shalit’s at their home in Mitzpe Hila, in the north of Israel and informed them of the procedures that will take place during the exchange. Gantz said that Gilad will be taken from Gaza to a meeting point in the Sinai and then flown to Israel. Shalit will undergo medical checks and then be united with his family.

IDF sources quoted in Haaretz said that although Israel received assurances from Hamas regarding Shalit’s physical health, there is concern about his mental state. Shalit was held in solitary confinement for more than five years. During the entire period, Hamas refused to allow visits from the International Red Cross, in a clear violation of international law.

Israel plans to publish the list of Palestinian prisoners that will be released in exchange for Shalit on Sunday. Families of terror victims will then be given 48 hours to appeal the Supreme Court against the deal. Israel is set to release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit, many of whom are serving long prison sentences for their involvement in deadly terror attacks.