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Israel, Hamas Strike Deal to Free Israeli Soldier

Gilad Shalit held more than 5 years

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 11, 2011 2:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement that would see hundreds of Hamas prisoners released in exchange for an Israeli soldier's freedom. Benjamin Netanyahu went on national TV before a Cabinet vote to announce that Gilad Shalit, who was captured more than five years ago, would be free "in the coming days," reports the New York Times. Egypt brokered the deal.

Shalit was captured in a 2006 militant raid at age 19. His cause has become popular in Israel and abroad; tens of thousands marched in support of Shalit in the summer of 2010, and his parents have lived part-time in a tent near Netanyahu's residence, the Times notes. A possible release in 2009 fell through.

Aviva Shalit, mother of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, lights a torch during a ceremony calling for her son's release in May. (AP Photo/Michal Fattal)

This undated photo provided by the Shalit family shows Israeli Gilad Shalit at an unknown location in Israel. (AP Photo/HO-File)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 60 comments

njgreen

Oct 11, 2011 8:15 PM CDT

It's good news that Gilad is coming home. It's also good news that there's at least enough dialogue between the two sides to make such a deal. You may laugh and say that it took 5 years, but that's actually pretty fast, given that neither side recognizes the other.

DVMStraight14Words

Oct 11, 2011 6:58 PM CDT

Why? The Hamas are just freedom fighters, just like our own George Washington and our Revolutionary Army during the American Revolution. What's all the fuss about?!

Jeffrey-Lebowski

Oct 11, 2011 4:17 PM CDT

Drive them all into the Dead Sea, and make it Literal Dead Sea. Target practice on the bobbing bodies!

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Israel, Hamas Strike Deal to Free Israeli Soldier

Gilad Shalit held more than 5 years

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Hamas • Gilad Shalit • Arab-Israeli conflict

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