Gilad Shalit to be swapped for Palestinian prisoners
LONDON. October 18. KAZINFORM Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is due to be freed from five years' captivity on Tuesday in return for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners; Kazinform refers to BBC.
Sgt Shalit was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.
On Monday, the Israeli Supreme Court turned down an appeal for a 48-hour delay from the families of victims of attacks by Palestinian militants.
The first of 477 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed on Tuesday have now started leaving their jails.
They were all believed to be female and accompanied by Egyptian security personnel, Reuters news agency said.
The remaining 550 are scheduled to be released next month.
"I understand the difficulty in accepting that the vile people who committed the heinous crimes against your loved ones will not pay the full price they deserve," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in a letter, released by his office, to bereaved Israeli families.
Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas prepared a hero's welcome for 295 prisoners due to be sent to the territory.
The Hamas interior minister for Gaza has urged residents to "refrain from using weapons and ammunition to express their joy".
Step by step
The day's events will unfold in a carefully choreographed sequence.
Early on Tuesday morning local time, Gilad Shalit, 25, is due to be taken to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The 477 Palestinian prisoners will be taken to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Egypt, a 10-minute drive from Rafah; Kazinform cites BBC.
To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk