Gilad Shalit freed in prisoner swap

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has arrived back in Israel following his release from five years' captivity, as part of a prisoner exchange deal.

Sgt Shalit was first taken from Gaza to Egypt, where he was released to Israeli officials and later crossed the border.

Meanwhile the first of 477 Palestinians to be released on Tuesday have arrived in Gaza amid rapturous scenes.

Another 550 jailed Palestinian are to be freed next month under the deal between Israel and Hamas.

Sgt Shalit, 25, was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.