Welcome agreement on release of Shalit

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “I welcome the agreement between Hamas and Israel on the release of Gilad Shalit and exchange of prisoners. Norway’s position all along has been that Shalit’s imprisonment was unacceptable, and we have been among the countries actively working for his release.”

The Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been imprisoned for more than five years, and the agreement with Hamas gives reason to believe that his imprisonment will now come to an end. In return, Israel will release 1027 Palestinians who are being held in Israeli prisons. This agreement will also have implications for the situation in the West Bank and Gaza over the next few weeks. 

“My thoughts go first and foremost to the families of those concerned. I have met Gilad Shalit’s father, Noam Shalit, twice. The agreement gives reason to hope that the family’s long wait is now over. I hope that Gilad Shalit will be release soon and reunited with his family ,” said Mr Støre.