Gilad Shalit Live Blog

Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, tells reporters that his son "feels well" but that he "suffers some injuries as a result of inadequate treatment". He has some shrapnel wounds and suffers some maladies due to his lack of exposure from the sun.

"He could not communicate with others, especially in his own language," he added.

Shalit said he hoped his son would soon return to "normal life" and that the family has experience Gilad's "rebirth".

Shalit was taken to his home, the northern Israeli village of Mitzpe Hila, via helicoper, where crowds of people carrying white roses and carnations met the covory carrying the newly-released 25-year-old and his family, reports the AFP.

Meanwhile, in Salem, in the West Bank, the mother of one of the released Palestinian prisoners reacts when she sees him on television, released and deported to the Gaza Strip (photo via AFP):

Here's the first image of Gilad Shalit hugging his father, Noam, after spending the last five years in captivity.

Gilad Shalit has now arrived at the Tel Nof airbase, the Israeli PM's office says.