12:03 IL: The Israel Air Force Yassur helicopter has taken off from Kerem Shalom and Gilad Shalit is on his way to the Tel Nof air force base where he will be reunited with his parents, Noam and Aviva, his grandfather Tzvi and other family members.

Senior military and government officials are also in Tel Nof awaiting the soldier’s arrival.

There was some discussion earlier if Gilad will be dressed in IDF uniform but there was no mention that this was done, indicating he left for Tel Nof wearing the same civilian clothes as when he arrived in Israel from Egypt.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)