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Gilad Schalit's homecoming approaches its 15th anniversary
Israel announced an agreement to secure Gilad Schalit's release on October 11, 2011. He returned home on October 18, a week later.
Gilad Schalit's return home on October 18, 2011, is approaching its 15th anniversary. Israel announced the agreement securing his release on October 11 that year, after more than five years of captivity. His homecoming followed one week after the announcement.
He was a 19-year-old Israeli soldier when he was abducted during a Hamas attack near the Gaza border on June 25, 2006.
His parents, Noam and Aviva Schalit, worked to keep their son from disappearing from public consciousness.
For five years, they attended meetings, confronted politicians and spoke to journalists. They also kept their son's photograph before the eyes of the nation throughout that campaign.
He later married Nitzan Shabbat and has worked as a sports journalist. His interest in sport existed before his abduction and became part of his working life.