Israeli soldier freed in swap for 1000 prisoners

The Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas has freed an Israeli soldier after 5 years of captivity in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The soldier was transferred on Tuesday from the Gaza Strip by way of Egypt to Israel, where he met with his family. He was abducted near the Gaza-Israeli boundery in 2006.

Also on Tuesday, Israel freed 477 Palestinian prisoners. A second group is to be released in two months.

Thousands of families and Hamas supporters cheered and fired off celebratory gunshots when prisoners arrived in the Gaza strip on buses.

There had been opposition in Israel to the release of the prisoners, which include those who are responsible for terrorist attacks.

But the swap deal was prompted by strong demand from the Israeli public to secure the soldier's release in a country where military service is compulsory for all citizens.

The deal is not likely to help promote stalled Middle East peace talks, as Hamas says it will continue its policy of armed struggle against Israel.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 22:07 +0900 (JST)