Gilad Shalit reunited with family in Israel

Gilad Shalit has been reunited with his family in Israel.

The Israeli soldier, who returned to Israel today after more than five years as a prisoner of Hamas, met his parents Noam and Aviva at the Tel Nof Army base.

He was 19 when they last saw him, before he was kidnapped by terrorists at the Gaza border. The family have dedicated the last five years to campaigning for their son 's release and took up residence in a protest tent outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem to highlight his plight.

He was also greeted by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Netanyahu told reporters that he had hugged Sergeant Shalit and took him to his parents. "I told them, 'I return your son home to you'," he said.