Aviva Shalit
Aviva ShalitIsrael news photo: Flash 90


Aviva Shalit, mother of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, spoke to the press Sunday for the first time after the deal to release her son was signed.

"I want to thank the activists, the media and the citizens of Israel, who have been accompanying us down this road and have wrapped us up in warmth and love," she said.

"The days of waiting for Gilad to return home are complicated. We know that the bereaved families are feeling shaken these days and we understand the pain in their hearts; we, too, are a bereaved family," she said.

"Despite this, any delay, any change or postponement of the deal could endanger Gilad's life," she explained. "I request that upon Gilad's return home, you will allow us to help him rehabilitate himself. I thank you for the understanding. "

The family issued a similar statement earlier in the day.

Yoel, the twin brother of Gilad's father Noam, was killed in the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Gilad's brother is named Yoel after the fallen uncle. Noam has no other brothers or sisters.