Hi, I am Gilad Shalit, son of Aviva and Noam Shalit, brother of Hadas and Yoel, from Mitzpe Hilla, ID number 300097029. Today is Monday 14 September 2009.
As you can see, I'm holding in my hand today's Palestine newspaper, 14th September 2009, which is published in Gaza.
I'm reading the newspaper in order to find information about myself, and I hope to find information about my release and return home soon.
I have been waiting and yearning a long time for the day I will be released.
I hope the current government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu will not waste this opportunity to finalise the deal and that as a result I will finally be able to realise my dream and be released.
I want to send my regards to my family, to tell them that I love them and miss them a lot, and yearn for the day that I will see them.
Father, Yoel and Hadas, do you remember the day when you arrived at my base in Ramat Ha-Golan, on the 31st December 2005, which, if I'm not mistaken, is called Revia Bet? We did a tour around the base. You took a picture of me on top of the Merkava tank, and on top of one of the old tanks at the entrance to the base.
Afterwards, we drove to a restaurant in one of the Druze villages, and on the way we took a picture on the side of the road with the snow-covered Mount Hermon.
I want to tell you that I am well in terms of my health. The mujahideen of the Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades are treating me fine.
Thank you very much and see you again.
