Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held in captivity in Gaza for over five years, has arrived back in Israel, chief army spokesman Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai said.

Shalit told Egyptian media before crossing back to Israel that he hoped the prisoner swap would further peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians. He said he had always been optimistic of going back home, and he was told of his release a week ago. 

Egyptian state TV showed Shalit emerging from a vehicle and being accompanied by Egyptian and Hamas officials.

Shalit has been held by militants in Gaza for more than five years and his return to Israel triggered the release of a first trance of 477 Palestinian prisoners.

The swap agreement, which was signed between Israel and Hamas last week, involves the release of a total of 1,027 Palestinians in what will be the highest price-ever paid for the release of one person.

Shalit's return to Israel also marks the first time in 26 years that a captured soldier has been brought back alive to the Jewish state.

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