The Egyptian TV published an interview with the released Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, after he was safely handed over to Egypt as part of the prisoner swap deal.
In the interview, Shalit said that he only knew he will be let go only a week ago.
The soldier added that he would like to tell people about his years in captivity.
He further sated that Egypt's good relations with the Hamas movement in Gaza and the Israeli government played an important role in the success of the deal.
When asked about what lessons he learnt during his years of captivity, Shalit said that the important lesson that could be learnt is that "achieving a prisoner-swap deal in a short time is..." and he stopped there. He seemed to be in a good health but overwhelmed.
When asked about thousands of Palestinians held by Israel since so many years, while he was held for five years, "is it possible that you would lead a campaign to release all Palestinian detainees who are still in captivity?"
"I will be happy if they are released, to be able to go back home to their lands and parents, I will be happy if that happens", Shalit replied.
Asked about plans for the future, Shalit said that he hopes this deal will help boost peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Waleed Al Omary, head of the Al Jazeera TV office in Palestine, said that Shalit will first be checked-up, before being airlifted to a military base were Israeli officials and his family will be waiting for him. Afterwards, he will be airlifted to a military base in Tel Aviv before he heads back home.
Al Omary added that several buses and vehicles transported the freed Palestinian detainees to border terminals, and that all 477 released detainees are either with the Red Cross, or with the Palestinians and Egyptians.
Officials of Hamas, the Al Qassam brigades, and several factions and armed groups, welcomed the detainees after first bus carrying them, entered the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas movement stated that West Bank detainees who will not be allowed back home, will be staying in Gaza until they are allowed back home.
Clashes were reported at the Betunia terminal leading to Ramallah, after the Israeli army closed the terminal as thousands of residents gathered there to welcome the detainees.
The army used waste-water cannons, and fired gas bombs, to force the residents away and said that the released detainees will be sent to the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah.
Thousands of residents, and families of the released detainees gathered near the terminal awaiting to greet and welcome the freed detainees.
The army then said that nobody will be allowed to greet the detainees at the terminal and forced the Red Cross out of the area before attacking the residents.
The West Bank released detainees were sent to the Palestinian headquarters in Ramallah, and were welcomed by President Mahmoud Abbas, and several officials.
A total of 96 West Bank male detainees, and 21 female detainees, arrived in Ramallah for the official ceremony. 16 Jerusalem detainees were sent to Jerusalem.
The first phase of the swap-deal includes the release of 477 Palestinian detainees.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) reported recently that there are more than 5000 Palestinian detainees currently held in Israeli jails, including some 400 prisoners from the Gaza Strip.
International Middle East Media Center
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