IN PICTURES: Exclusive Haaretz photos of Gilad Shalit's first weekend of freedom
Haaretz photographer Yaron Kaminsky was camping in the north when he saw Noam Shalit escorting his son on his first beach visit since being taken captive five years ago.
By Haaretz Tags: Shalit swap Gilad ShalitGilad Shalit made his first visit to the beach on Saturday, following a prisoner swap deal last week that ended his five-year captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Shalit arrived at Betzet beach in the north of Israel with his father Noam, where they encountered Haaretz photographer Yaron Kaminsky, who happened to be there with his family.
Kaminsky then took a photograph of the Shalits, and afterward informed Noam Shalit that he had done so.
"In the last few years I have taken many photographs of the Shalit family, surrounded by countless cameras. It was nice to just run into them like that, at the beach, during Gilad's first Saturday since being freed from captivity," Kaminsky said.
"I told him I felt bad," Kaminsky told Army Radio on Sunday, saying that Gilad's father replied only: "Don't," before continuing the trip with his son.
Gilad Shalit was freed last Tuesday by Hamas in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian and Israeli Arab prisoners.
President Shimon Peres is expected to visit Shalit at his Mitzpeh Hila home within the next few days.
Members of the public continued to make their way to Mitzpeh Hila over the weekend, but are being kept away from the Shalit home itself. Some were bearing gifts, including food and flowers.
Policemen guarding the home have found themselves in the role of delivery staff, relaying the offerings to the family. Residents in the area expect the crowds to gradually taper off now that the Sukkot holiday has officially ended.
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Gilad, left, and Noam Shalit at Betzet beach, Oct 22, 2011. |
| Photo by: Yaron Kaminsky |
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Worse than jelly fish
Leave them alone. His parents did all they can for him and now it’s their time to just enjoy being with him. We all have to remember that that’s what he needs. peace of mind
when noam shalit said 'dont' he probably mean 'dont pap me'. this is such an intrusion. leave them alone already!
Parapazzi, leave Gilat and his family alone and let them build up his life again.
They went through enough already. All they need now is some Parazi chasing them!
Nosey Parker had a nose Twice as long as my ten toes.
Every picture tells a story. Lets hope that it won't open the floodgates
... to see Gilad enjoying some of the normal everyday activities that we take for granted. Its fabulous that he is well enough to enjoy the sunshine and being outside with his Dad. Thank you Yaron Kaminsky for respecting the Shalit's privacy and only taking a couple of photos and discussing this fact with them. Welcome Home Gilad... enjoy!
wISH i COULD BE WITH THEM THIS MINUTE.