Seven pieces of shrapnel, that struck Gilad during the attack in which he was captured, are successfully removed at Rambam hospital.
By JPOST.COM STAFFGilad Schalit smiles outside his Mitzpe Hila home 311 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS/Nir Elias)IDF soldier Gilad Schalit underwent successful surgery Friday morning, to remove seven pieces of shrapnel that struck him during combat, when he was taken hostage in June 2006.Rambam Hospital in Haifa said that Schalit would remain another day at the hospital for observation.RELATED:'My son needs time to recover' says Noam SchalitSchalit was released from captivity in Gaza two and a half weeks ago as part of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.
Gilad underwent a series of tests last week, after an initial examination found that he suffered from a slight injury in his hand caused by the shrapnel, and vitamin deficiency as a result of not being exposed to sunlight.Less than one week after his release from Hamas captivity, the freed soldier received a visit at his home from President Shimon Peres.Peres expressed his appreciation and admiration for Gilad's perseverance, praising that he withstood a "difficult test. So much time, many hours, days and years in a state of solitude and uncertainty," Schalit's father Noam recalled to Channel 10 following the visit.
