(Image Source: Israel Defense Forces )
 
BY JIM FLINK
ANCHOR LAUREN GORES
 
 
You're watching multiperspective world news analysis. 


It is done. After five years in captivity, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is home with his family. And hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been released to their families as well. Some are calling the exchange historic.
Others -- tragic. The Telegraph has the first interview with Shalit.

“I hope that this deal woulc help the conclusion of a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Some are critical of the exchange. A thousand prisoners -- for one soldier. But as CNN reports, this is a chord which strikes deep in Israel.

“His situation is, of course, one which every Israeli can identify with.  Keep in mind, this country has a conscription armed forces which is very much a people’s army.  The males have to go to the army for three years, the females for two years.  So, for every parent here, this is their worst nightmare.”
 
Palestinians says that nightmare is shared on both sides of warring parties.
Euronews has the scene from the Palestinian perspective -- of prisoners who’ve been held for decades in Israeli prisons.

“A huge demonstration of about 200,000 people turned out in the streets of Gaza to add their joy to the occasion.”

“The release is a major coup for Hamas.  The rulers of Gaza will milk its success for any political capital it can, as it continues to make its case for the overall leadership of the Palestinian people.”

While many on both sides celebrate -- others are angry. In the Jerusalem Post, one contributor calls this -- an epic failure.

“Over the course of five years, this country has been unable to create leverage or drum up the necessary international support, and in the end was forced to fold to bring Gilad Schalit home. In the final analysis, this will be understood to be one of the worst intelligence and military failures in the country’s history.”

But the BBC reports, while many say Hamas won a huge political victory, others aren’t so sure.

“In reality, Hamas compromised to make this deal. They backed down over the release of the most high-profile prisoners. Faced with dwindling popularity, uncertain about their base in Syria and recently overshadowed by their rival from the Fatah party, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas figured this would give them a boost. It will. But many believe Hamas has also played its trump card. What will their strategy be now?”

 

World News: Gilad Shalit Freed

After Five Years, Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit Returns Home

October 18, 2011
(2:10)
After years in captivity, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is home with his family after an exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
   
TRANSCRIPT

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