Gilad Shalit woke up in his home in Mitzpe Hila on Wednesday for the first time in five and a half years. Medical Corps representatives, including doctors have arrived at the Shalit residence to coordinate further tests on the freed soldier.
Gilad was later seen leaving the house for a short stroll outside, accompanied by his mother Aviva. He was wearing a black t shirt, sunglasses and baseball cap with an IDF sign on it and had a big smile on his face.
First stroll: Gilad with Aviva Shalit (Photo: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv )
Noam Shalit and Ya'ara Winkler, girlfriend of Yoel Shalit left to run some errands, Noam told waiting reporters: "Gilad feels good. He needs quiet; we're trying to get back to normal." He also asked that the reporters give the family some space.
Gilad left the Gaza Strip gaunt and pale. En route to Tel Nof from Kerem Shalom he felt ill and subsequently underwent a series of medical tests. He will spend the next few days undergoing further examinations.
| Watch Gilad take short stroll in Mitzpe Hila |
The street where the Shalits reside will remain blocked by police for the coming week. Northern District Police chief Roni Atiya said "We shall block the entrance to the house so long as the family asks us to."
Noam Shalit: 'Gilad needs peace and quiet' (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
The Shalit family issued a message on all major Israeli newspapers thanking the activists, sympathisers and the public at large for its support. "After 1,941 long days and nights we wanted to say thank you," the message said. "Thank you to the millions of people in Israel and the world who supported us, marched with us and gave us strength in the hours, days and rough years since Gilad's abduction."
The Shalit family issued a message on all major Israeli newspapers thanking the activists, sympathisers and the public at large for its support. "After 1,941 long days and nights we wanted to say thank you," the message said. "Thank you to the millions of people in Israel and the world who supported us, marched with us and gave us strength in the hours, days and rough years since Gilad's abduction."
Gilad arrives home (Photo: IDF)
On Tuesday evening, the five members of the reunited Shalit family sat down for their first joint dinner in five and a half years after one of the most dramatic days Israel has known. The family will now attempt to return to normal life.
For his first meal at home Gilad had his favorites – schnitzel, French fries and pasta. Friends of the family said that while Gilad appeared exhausted and gaunt Tuesday, he ate with great appetite. At the table, he was joined by his father Noam, mother Aviva, brother Yoel, and his girlfriend Yaara. His sister Hadas did not stay for dinner.
Apart from his immediate family, the only person allowed into the Shalit residence is an army psychologist who will accompany Gilad as he attempts to go back to normal life.
Initial tests showed that Shalit's general condition is better than expected. "I expected you to be surprised by my good condition," the former captive quipped while undergoing tests by military doctors. Officials said Shalit's nutritional state is also reasonable.
Gilad will be undergoing dental and orthopedic tests in the coming days. A Medical Corps doctor and an expert on shell-shocked victims will be at hand in Mitzpe Hila to provide Gilad with any care he may need.
He will be closely watched in the coming weeks and later be placed under the responsibility of the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department.
Noam and Aviva Shalit with French ambassador (Photo: AFP)
Meeting French ambassador
France's ambassador to Israel, Christophe Bigot, visited the Shalit family on Tuesday evening to deliver a letter from President Nicolas Sarkozy.Shalit has French nationality through his grandmother.
"Today, I want to pay homage to your courage during this terrible trial and to tell you of our joy and our emotion," said the letter, the contents of which were made public by Bigot. "France never forgot you," it said.
The French ambassador has forged a close and warm relationship with the Shalit family over the years.
Bigot observed that Gilad was in much better shape than he himself had expected.
