The Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram has reported that the implementation of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap deal will begin within 48 hours.
The report states that the prisoner exchange is likely to take place in Cairo or between Cairo and Berlin.
The IDF has stated that there will be no immediate interrogation of Shalit upon his arrival in Israel. He will be accompanied home and returned to his family where he can "finally rest."
A spokesperson also stated that there would be no press conference or photo shoots upon his arrival. The army will take official pictures and release them to the media. The media was asked to respect this.
Meanwhile, the Shalit family has left the Gilad Shalit protest tent across from the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem. The family has maintained a permanent presence there since March 2009 when the tent was set-up and they declared they would not return home until their son did.  |
| Noam and Aviva Shalit on Wednesday |
On Wednesday, the Shalits made their way home to Mitzpeh Hila where a crowd of supporters and press awaited them.
Noam Shalit, Gilad's father told the press: "I don't want to be interviewed. I just want to get home. We are waiting for Gilad to come home, that we'll finally get to see him come down the stairs and a circle will be closed."
Noam and Aviva Shalit gave a statement to the press after the Israeli cabinet approved the prisoner-swap deal with Hamas.
