Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit speaks about his ordeal after being held hostage for more than five years. Shalit was captured in 2006 by Palestinian militants who tunnelled out of the Gaza Strip to ambush and Israeli tank crew. Speaking on Egyptian state television the released Israeli soldier looked weak and pale but said he was in good health. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic translation) NEWLY RELEASED ISRAELI SOLDIER GILAD SHALIT, SAYING: "I got this news a week ago and I felt at the time that it would be the last opportunity to free me. I can't describe my emotions at the time but I felt that I was approaching very difficult moments." Shalit thanked those who worked for his release and said he hoped the 5,000 remaining Palestinians held in Israeli jails would be freed. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic translation) NEWLY RELEASED ISRAELI SOLDIER GILAD SHALIT, SAYING: "I would be very happy if they were all freed so they can go back to their families and their land, I would be very happy if this was to happen." More than a thousand Palestinians are being freed in exchange for Shalit under a deal between Hamas and the Israeli government - brokered by Egypt. Lily Grimes, Reuters
