GILAD SHALIT CELEBRATES SEVEN YEARS OF FREEDOM FROM HAMAS CAPTIVITY

Gilad Shalit celebrated his seven year anniversary of his release from Hamas captivity by supporting children with disabilities at the Shalva Israel Gala Dinner on Monday.

Shlava, which provides an array of services for individuals with disabilities, brought together thousands of people to support the organization and its work.

Among the attendees were Shalit and his girlfriend Nitzan. Shalit was held captive by Hamas for 5 years, from 2006-2011. He was captured by Hamas militants in a cross-border raid via underground tunnels. He gained his freedom during a prisoner exchange, where Israel released 1,027 prisoners in return for Shalit.

Shalit’s whereabouts and well-being has often been the speculation of Israeli citizens, but he has kept a low profile since his release.

Given a second chance, Shalit has dedicated his time helping others including his volunteer work with Shalva children.

Shalva raised over two million shekel throughout the night for one of it’s rehabilitative programs for children and young-adults.

“Shalva is place that not only cares for people with disabilities, but also provides them and their families with the dignity and embrace that they so desperately need,” David HaYisraeli, father of Yehuda Yitzchak HaYisraeli who was critically wounded in an effort to save kidnapped Hadar Goldin the IDF Operation Protective Edge, said in his keynote speech at the event.

Yehuda HaYisraeli currently receives rehabilitative therapies at Shalva.