Israel Defense Forces Sergeant First Class Gilad Shalit told Egyptian television on Tuesday that he was most looking forward to seeing and speaking with family and friends after returning to Israel following nearly five and a half years in Hamas captivity. Looking tired and pale but in otherwise good health, Shalit, now 25, breathed heavily during an interview conducted for Egyptian state television during the midpoint of his elaborate transfer to Israel from Gaza. In his first television interview since being freed, Shalit answered a series of questions delivered by reporter Shahira Amin after being transported across Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza but before crossing into Israel. According to Israel Radio, the interview was arranged by Egyptian intelligence. It was unclear whether or not Shalit agreed or was coerced into the televised conversation, but during the nearly ten-minute interview, he breathed heavily and hesitated often. Within minutes of it being aired, Twitter and social media was flooded with comments, many of which bashed the interview in the strongest possible terms. "Egyptian TV has just proven itself #notreadyforprimetime. #GiladShalit #Egypt #media," wrote @Shai Franklin. @AFilan tweeted, "Conduct of Egypt TV interview a lesson in media poor taste, but Shalit faced it well, said he missed seeing people and talking to them." @Dimireider had harsher language, writing on Twitter, "NileTV's #Shalit interview - one of the most intrusive, disgusting episodes I recall in journalism. Shame on them. Sick. Someone kick them." On Facebook, Ra'anana resident Jaquelyn Mowszowski Lawrence wrote, "This ridiculous Egyptian reporter interviewing poor Gilad must F- off now," to which Dahlia Raymond responded, "makes me so mad," and Amit Katz added, "what did you expect-" Later down in the stream of comments, Facebook user Jocelyn Bean wrote "It was totally insane to have that interview. He looks far from 'ok,'" and then added, "poor angel." In a comment that was widely retweeted, @aloncarmel wrote, "Egyptian TV interview is one of the saddest moments in #Egypt's history. you should be ashamed of yourself." Shalit was a 19-year-old corporal when he was captured in a 2006 cross-border ambush and brought to Gaza. Last week, following years of start-and-stop negotiations, Israel and Hamas signed a prisoner exchange deal with the help of Egyptian and German mediators. The deal will see 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were serving life sentences for murder and terrorism, freed in exchange for Shalit. The first 477 prisoners -- 450 men and 27 women -- were released on Tuesday in coordination with Shalit's transfer back to Israeli soil. "Of course I miss my family very much. I also miss my friends," Shalit told Amin. "I hope this deal will lead to peace between Palestinians and Israelis and that it will support cooperation between both sides." Amin delivered her questions in English, and Shalit answered in Hebrew, although reports on Tuesday said that he is now completely fluent in Arabic. Both Hebrew and Arabic translators were present, with the reporter's questions being translated into Hebrew for Shalit and his responses being translated into Arabic for the viewing audience. According to Israel Radio, some of Shalit's Hebrew-language responses were mistranslated by the Arabic translator; and someone off camera could be heard telling the interviewer to hurry up and finish the interview. When Shalit said, "I don't feel very well, am not used to seeing so many people," the translator announced, "He feels well, thanks to the people who freed him." "When did you get news that you would be released-" Amin asked Shalit. "I received the news about a week ago, but I had a feeling a deal was in the works one month ago," Shalit responded. "I was happy but I was also concerned that the negotiations could go awry." In one of the most difficult portions of the interview, Amin said to Shalit, "Gilad, you have known what it is like to be in captivity. More than 4,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli jails. Will you help campaign for their release-" After pausing to think of how to respond, Shalit said, "I would be very happy if they were to be released. But they must first renounce violence against Israel. I hope there is some kind of peace process and no more wars or conflicts."
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