On 12th anniversary of capture, Hamas releases new footage of Gilad Schalit

In the photos, Schalit can be seen in his cell and out of it, including in the company of his captors.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

JUNE 25, 2018 13:02

Updated: JUNE 25, 2018 13:14

IDF Soldier Gilad Schalit in Hamas custody (photo credit: HAMAS MEDIA) — IDF Soldier Gilad Schalit in Hamas custody

(photo credit: HAMAS MEDIA)

תיעוד חדש מתקופת שליט בשבי חמאס: 12 שנים לאחר חטיפת החייל גלעד שליט, מפרסם ארגון חמאס תמונות וסרטונים מ-5 שנותיו של שליט בשבי. בהקלטות נראה החייל הישראלי לצד שוביו - שחלקם חוסלו או נהרגו מאז https://t.co/T4OXmIxn1J pic.twitter.com/MBDp20FndE
— החדשות (@NewsChannelIL) June 25, 2018

Hamas marked the 12th anniversary of the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit on Monday by posting never before seen photos and videos of the armored corps soldier while in captivity.

Schalit was kidnapped by Hamas on June 25th 2006 and was held captive for more than five years. He was released and returned to Israel on October 18th, 2011 as part of a deal with the terror group, in exchange for the release of 1,027 prisoners belonging to Hamas and other Palestinian terror organizations.

In the photos, Schalit can be seen in his cell and out of it, including in the company of his captors, during the course of his captivity.

The video shows him during his daily routine, in some scenes even smiling and conversing with his captors.

The article in which the photos appear on the Hamas website says Schalit's kidnapping "shattered the illusion" of Israel's supremacy. The article notes that Hamas is still in custody of Israeli soldiers, a reference to the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, who were killed in Operation Protective Edge, in 2014. It says that Israeli leaders, "continue to delude the public and the families of the soldiers held in Gaza.

Schalit's capture and captivity, as well as the deal that saw him released, created widespread controversy in Israel during the years of his imprisonment, raising the question of whether to negotiate with terrorists and what was an acceptable price to return an Israeli soldier to his home and family.