Palestinian protesters for hunger strikers, Israeli soldiers clash again

Published on February 21, 2013

At least 1,000 Palestinians demonstrated near a West Bank prison -- the latest rally in support of inmates on long-term hunger strikes.

Gilad Shalit released from the military

Published on April 18, 2012

Former captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been released from the Israel Defense Forces.

Palestinian woman on hunger strike in prison

Published on February 27, 2012

A Palestinian woman, released by Israel in a prisoner swap last year but re-arrested earlier this month and held without charge, is on a hunger strike to protest at her treatment, officials said on Monday.

Shalit drew, kept journal in captivity

Published on November 7, 2011

Former captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit drew and kept a journal while being held by Hamas in Gaza.

PA to provide housing for released prisoners

Published on November 6, 2011

The Palestinian Authority will provide housing for the Palestinian prisoners released in the Shalit swap.

Gilad Shalit undergoes surgery to repair abduction injuries

Published on November 4, 2011

Gilad Shalit has undergone surgery to repair wounds from his 2006 abduction.

Shas lawmaker chides Shalit for his Shabbat at the beach

Published on November 3, 2011

A lawmaker from the haredi Orthodox Shas Party said Gilad Shalit should have spent his first Shabbat of freedom not at the beach but praying in synagogue.

Are Palestinians ‘partying’ in Israeli prisons?

Published on November 1, 2011

In the wake of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit’s release after being held captive in Gaza by Hamas for five years, Israelis are grappling with the question of what to do if another Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped. Currently, one of the most popular ideas being bandied about is to exert counter-pressure by making life harder for Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli prisons now.

Released prisoners belong on terror lists, Jewish Dems say

Published on November 1, 2011

Four top Jewish lawmakers called for the names of the Palestinian prisoners released as part of the Gilad Shalit deal to be entered into databases of terrorists.

Grapel to Netanyahu: I underwent difficult times in Egyptian prison, but was treated fairly

Published on October 27, 2011

Ilan Grapel, an American-Israeli citizen jailed in Cairo on suspicion of espionage for over four months, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Thursday after he was released. Grapel told the prime minister that he underwent difficult times in prison, but was treated fairly.

American-Israeli Ilan Grapel is freed in prisoner exchange with Egypt

Published on October 27, 2011

Egypt released an American-Israeli it held as an alleged spy and Israel freed 25 Egyptians in a prisoner swap on Thursday that will ease strains between Cairo's new rulers and the United States and Israel.

Egyptians wait at border for Israel prisoner swap

Published on October 27, 2011

Egyptians gathered at the border with Israel Thursday awaiting the handover of prisoners to be exchanged for an American-Israeli man held by Egypt and accused of spying.

Shalit is facing obstacles on road to recovery

Published on October 25, 2011

Gilad Shalit’s release from more than five years of isolated captivity marked the end of a national trauma for Israel, but for the 25-year-old it's only the beginning of his road to recovery.

Israeli Cabinet approves Grapel prisoner swap deal

Published on October 25, 2011

Israel's Cabinet unanimously approved a deal to release dual American-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel in exchange for 25 Egyptians being held in Israeli prisons.

Shalits trying to adjust to new normal

Published on October 24, 2011

A week after Gilad Shalit returned to Israel after being held in captivity for more than five years in Gaza, things were getting back to normal at the Shalit family home -- sort of.

Opinion: Shalit deal only worsens the conflict

Published on October 24, 2011

No one should mistake the afterglow in Israel from the release of Gilad Shalit, or the rare sight of Israelis and Palestinians showing mutual flexibility and actually concluding an agreement, as hopeful signs for the prospects of peace. Just the opposite: Shalit’s release, in addition to being an undeniable security risk for Israelis, is giving the Right yet another boost, and making relations with the Palestinians even worse, as hard to imagine as that may be.

Israel, Egypt agree to prisoner swap

Published on October 24, 2011

Israel and Egypt have reached a deal to swap 25 Egyptian prisoners in Israeli custody for U.S.-Israeli dual national Ilan Grapel, held by Egypt since June, a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Monday.

Peres visits Shalit at home

Published on October 24, 2011

Israeli President Shimon Peres visited Gilad Shalit at his home in northern Israel, the first Israeli official to visit since the soldier's return.

Livni slams Shalit prisoner exchange

Published on October 23, 2011

Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni criticized the prisoner swap that freed Gilad Shalit, saying it weakened Israel and strengthened Hamas.

Egypt says preparing for prisoner swap with Israel

Published on October 21, 2011

Egypt said on Thursday it was preparing to swap U.S.-Israeli dual national Ilan Grapel, who was detained in June on spying charges, for Egyptian prisoners held in Israel.

Celebrating Gilad: The most joyous Sukkot of our lives

By Rabbi Daniel Bouskila
Published on October 19, 2011

When my wife Peni and I decided to take our kids to Israel for Sukkot, we knew that we would have a great time. We knew that Sukkot, referred to in our prayers as “Zman Simchateinu” (“Our time to rejoice”) would especially be celebratory in Israel. But we never could have imagined what awaited us.

Opinion: We salute you, Gilad!

Published on October 19, 2011

"He who wrought miracles for our fathers, and redeemed them from slavery unto freedom, may he speedily redeem us, and gather our exiles from the four corners of the earth, even all Israel united in fellowship; and let us say, Amen." 

"HaMakom y'rachem ethkhem b'tokh sh'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim" 

"May G-d comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem" 





Would-be suicide bomber tells Gaza children to be like her

Published on October 19, 2011

A would-be Palestinian suicide bomber freed by Israel in the prisoner swap for soldier Gilad Shalit told cheering schoolchildren in the Gaza Strip the day after her release Wednesday she hoped they would follow her example.

Day one of freedom for Gilad Shalit

Published on October 19, 2011

Gilad Shalit, whose skinny frame is the talk of Israel, took a morning stroll with his mother outside the family home in a leafy village in northern Israel, accompanied by police who formed a protective guard around him.

U.S. troubled by Israeli release of some Palestinians

Published on October 18, 2011

The United States has concerns about some of the 477 Palestinians Israel freed on Tuesday in exchange for an abducted Israeli soldier because they killed or injured U.S. citizens, a U.S. official said.

Gilad Shalit faces recovery issues

Published on October 18, 2011

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was freed from five years of captivity in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to a joyous reception, but may need time to recover from his time kept in sun-deprived isolation and other injuries, his father said.

Opinion: Obligation to redeem captive trumps heavy price paid

By Uri Dromi
Published on October 18, 2011

The announcement last week of the release of Gilad Shalit after being held in captivity by Hamas for more than five years was met here in Israel with mixed feelings: On the one hand, tremendous joy. And on the other hand, grave doubts about the price paid and fears about the ramifications of this deal.

Analysis: Flicker of hope for peace from Shalit deal

Published on October 18, 2011

Palestinians and Israelis celebrating at the same time is a rare occurrence. Their simultaneous elation on Tuesday over a mass prisoner swap is raising a faint glimmer of hope for progress in ending the Middle East conflict.

White House: Obama pleased that Israeli soldier released

Published on October 18, 2011

U.S. President Barack Obama is pleased that Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been freed and wants Israelis and Palestinians to take steps toward resuming peace negotiations, the White House said on Tuesday.

Murderers’ Row: Who are the terrorists being freed in the Shalit deal?

Published on October 18, 2011

In exchange for Gilad Shalit's release, Israel is freeing 1,027 Palestinian security prisoners.

Palestinians hail lopsided swap, call for more

Published on October 18, 2011

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank gave jubilant welcomes on Tuesday to hundreds of prisoners freed by Israel in exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit, the soldier held for five years by the Gaza's Islamist rulers, Hamas.

Opinion: Shalit, Israel and rabbinic debate

Published on October 18, 2011

Political sovereignty in the restored Jewish homeland often means making decisions with life-and-death implications. That reality was brought home last week with the agonizing decision to authorize the terribly imbalanced swap to gain the release of Gilad Shalit.

Hamas report: Hamas releases Israeli soldier in prisoner swap

Published on October 18, 2011

Gaza's Hamas Islamist rulers released captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on Tuesday in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, a Hamas military source said, in a deal ending a saga that has gripped Israel for five years.

Prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit underway

Published on October 17, 2011

A long-awaited prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas began before dawn on Tuesday when the first of hundreds of Palestinian inmates were bused from their jails to border crossings where they will be swapped for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Opinion: Shalit.com

By Rob Eshman
Published on October 17, 2011

What makes this prisoner swap different from all other prisoner swaps? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to exchange Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier Gilad Shalit for more than 1,000 Arab prisoners instantly became the biggest story of the year out of Israel.

Opinion: Israel is not normal

By David Suissa
Published on October 17, 2011

You can say a lot about Israel, but not that it’s a normal country.

Top Israeli court gives green light for Shalit swap

Published on October 17, 2011

Israel's Supreme Court gave the green light on Monday for a prisoner exchange with Hamas, rejecting petitions against the deal to swap hundreds of jailed Palestinians for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, officials said.

Noam Shalit faces terrorist victims’ families outside courtroom

Published on October 17, 2011

Noam Shalit faced a bevy of protesters opposing the release of his son Gilat as he arrived at the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem to urge the court to allow the prisoner exchange.

Netanyahu writes to families of victims of Shalit-deal prisoners

Published on October 17, 2011

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote to family members of the victims of attacks perpetrated by some of the 1,027 prisoners to be released in return for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Egypt reportedly ready to free Ilan Grapel in prisoner swap with Israel

Published on October 16, 2011

Egypt will reportedly release dual American-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel in a prisoner exchange deal with Israel.

Israel’s Supreme Court to mull petition against Shalit prisoner swap

Published on October 16, 2011

Israel's Supreme Court will consider petitions by terror victims' families to cancel the Shalit prisoner swap deal.

Man opposed to prisoner swap defaces Rabin memorial

Published on October 14, 2011

A man who lost five family members in a 2001 suicide attack defaced a memorial to assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Friday in an apparent protest against an impending Palestinian prisoner swap, police said.

Netanyahu tells Egyptian leader: Your assistance in Shalit deal ‘warms the hearts of all Israelis’

Published on October 13, 2011

Two days after signing the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap deal, it seems the agreement may also have a positive effect on the strained relations between Israel and Egypt. On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Egypt's interim ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, and thanked him for his country's assistance in negotiating the deal.

Report: Shalit swap to get underway Tuesday

Published on October 13, 2011

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will be freed from five years of captivity in the Gaza Strip sometime next week in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Red Cross discusses prisoner swap with Israel, Hamas

Published on October 13, 2011

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has offered to facilitate the exchange of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for Palestinian prisoners and is discussing this with Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers, an ICRC spokesman said on Thursday.

Gaza: Cautious joy, sense of victory greets news of Shalit deal

Published on October 12, 2011

After years of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a deal that will secure the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in return for the release of more than 1,000 prisoners being held in Israeli jails, was completed on Tuesday night.

Israeli Cabinet approves Gilad Shalit release deal with Hamas

Published on October 12, 2011

Israel's Cabinet approved a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas that would free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

LOCAL REACTION: In US, joy at Shalit's impending release mixed with unease at the price

Published on October 11, 2011

Reacting to news of the proposed deal between Israel and Hamas that could see captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit returned to Israel in the coming days, after more than five years in captivity, Israelis in the United States, as well as American Jewish leaders, expressed happiness and relief Tuesday, even as they acknowledged discomfort at the price of the soldier’s freedom. Israel’s government reportedly will release approximately 1,000 Palestinians from its prisons in exchange for Shalit’s freedom.

TIMELINE: Gilad Shalit, held for five years

Published on October 11, 2011

Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas which rules Gaza have agreed on a deal to swap the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, held captive for five years, for the release of a proposed 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu: Israel to toughen conditions of Palestinian prisoners

Published on June 23, 2011

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that he plans on toughening the conditions of Palestinian security prisoners in Israel's prisons.

Egypt pushing Hamas to soften stance on Shalit deal

Published on May 8, 2011

Hamas has agreed in principle to a new proposal aimed at securing the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Al Jazeera television reported on its website Sunday. The report said the plan was forumated by Egypt.

Israel won’t ‘pay any price’ for Shalit release, Bibi says

Published on July 1, 2010

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday made a special address on the negotiations to free abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, and said Israel is willing to pay a heavy price in the negotiations with Hamas, but not any price.