Soldier in “good health” after handover in Egypt, as transfer of 477 Palestinian prisoners is initiated under swap deal.

Egyptian state television broadcast the first new video of Shalit since a 2009 ‘proof of life’ video made by Hamas

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been handed over to Israeli officials in Egypt, as a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel gets under way.

In an interview with Egyptian television at Rafah, Shalit said that he hoped that the deal that allowed for his release on Tuesday would help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.

“I will be very happy if all Palestinian prisoners are freed so they can go back to their families [...] I hope this deal could help reach peace between Israelis and the Palestinians and strengthen cooperation,” he said.

Shalit was in Israeli hands for the first time in five years and four months, reported Al Jazeera‘s Cal Perry from Jerusalem.

He was received by Israeli army officers and doctors, a statement from the Israeli army said.

“In the coming moments, SFC Shalit will be transferred to an IDF base near the crossing point, where he will speak with his family on the phone and undergo an initial medical examination. Immediately afterwards, he will be flown in an IAF helicopter to an IDF base in central Israel, where he will be reunited with his family,” said the statement.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Shalit had been handed over to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Groups of Palestinian prisoners are now being sent by bus to Gaza via Rafah, reported Al Jazeera correspondent Nicole Johnston from the border crossing, where Hamas’ military wing has been out in force.

Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros in Cairo said Shalit was reported to be “in good health” and was held inside an arrivals hall at Rafah, accompanied by Ahmed Jabbari, the head of Hamas’ al-Qassem military wing, before being transferred to Israel.

Read more  http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/10/20111017221258366393.html

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