BY JPOST—
Noam Schalit briefly shared some details of his son Gilad’s captivity and release at a press conference outside his family’s home in Mitzpe Hila Tuesday night after Gilad’s arrival.
Gilad said that at the beginning he was held in difficult conditions, Noam recounted, adding that his conditions later improved.
He said Gilad was able to listen to the radio and watch television during his time in captivity.
Noam said he hoped his son’s healing process would be as quick as possible, after more than five years in captivity.
Noam said that Gilad feels well, but suffers some health problems due to his lengthy solitary confinement and maltreatment, including problems related to a lack of sunlight.
He is being treated by the IDF, Noam said.
“Gilad is happy to be at home,” Noam continued, saying the public exposure was difficult for his son.
Schalit stressed that Gilad was suffering after being “in isolation so many days and years.” “He had no connection with his people, with his own language.”
Noam said that Gilad was experiencing a new beginning, and thanked supporters for their efforts in the long campaign to bring his son home.
“We, of course, thank the public that supported us all this way and all the activists who were with us this whole time, accompanying us until the very last step,” Noam said.
“We want to thank IDF officials, and the government, who helped complete this operation.”
Schalit said that he appreciated the hard work of “the government, prime minister, and defense minister.”
Noam said he “understands the price we are paying for Gilad’s release,” and that he can feel the pain of families who lost loved ones in terror attacks.
Over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for Noam’s son, who was captured in June, 2006 and held in Gaza until Tuesday.
