Boiling Point staff monitored various websites for the latest updates as Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange took place in Israel, Gaza and Eypt.  

2:26 AM BBC broadcasts a lengthy Egyptian TV interview with Shalit, at which he is asked questions such as whether he’s “stronger” now that he’s been a prisoner, whether he’s learned a lot, and whether now that he’s been a prisoner himself, will he now campaign for the release of the many thousands of Palestinians still in Israeli jails.

Looking gaunt, pausing before answering and and taking many deep breaths, he tells the Egyptian interviewer that it would make him “very happy if all prisoners are released.” adding that he hoped “they would not come back to Israel to fight in wars.”

By the time the interview is broadcast, however, he is back in Israel being examined by IDF doctors and psychologists.

1:44 AM JPost.Com: IDF CONFIRMS GILAD SHALIT BACK ON ISRAELI SOIL

1:34 AM LIVE BROADCAST IN ENGLISH ON BBC http://www.rentadrone.tv/bbc-world/

1:30 AM: LIVE BROADCAST: VIDEO OF GILAD SHALIT on Facebook … Friend “Israel In Los Angeles – Live Stream” from Israeli Consulate  http://www.facebook.com/IsraelinLA?sk=app_160266107370637

12:46 AM: BBC reports Gilad Shalit has spoken with his mother by phone.

12″26 AM: According to Al Jazeera, Egyptian television reports that Gilad Shalit is in good health.

12:23 AM: YNet has reported that an Israeli official has met with Gilad Shalit, and that Hamas has officially stated he is no longer in their custody.

12:11 AM Haaretz reports that at a rally near Ramallah, Palestinians celebrating the prisoner release call for more soldier kidnappings and terror attacks.

12:02 AM: YNet reports that BBC says Israeli representative “has seen” Shalit during his crossing from Gaza to Egypt. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4136364,00.html

11:45 PM:  Haaretz reports that Gilad Shalit arrives at the Israel-Gaza border crossing.

11:18 JPOST.COM REPORTS IDF SAYS SHALIT IN EGYPTIAN HANDS  http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=242190

11:08 PM Haaretz confirms that Israel is transferring prisoners to Red Cross, “effectively confirming” that Shalit is in Egyptian hands. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/live-blog-the-gilad-shalit-prisoner-swap-as-it-happens-1.390590

10: 57 PM YNet.com reports that Israel has begun releasing the prisoners to the Red Cross.

10:30 PM Haaretz says Egypt states that Gilad Shalit is now in Egyptian hands, but Hamas denies exchange has already taken place.

10:28 PM Al Jazeera says Gilad Shalit has been transferred to Egypt.  IDF does not confirm.

10: 15 PM YNet.com reports that Hamas will release the time for the release of Gilad Shalit only after the Egyptians verify the identity of the released prisoners.

10:07 PM YNet.com reports that Gilad Shalit’s parents and brother left their home in Mitzpe Hila to go to the Tel Nof base.

9:36 PM JPost.com reports that Gilad Shalit’s grandfather and sister have headed to Tel Nof base for his release.

9:29 PM YNet.com reports that 477 of the Palestinian prisoners have been transfered to Kerem Shalom near the Gaza Strip and the Ofer camp in the West Bank.

9:25 PM AlJazeera.com reports that Palestinian prisoners are receiving medical checks, and that there wil now be a news blackout until Gilad Shalit is confirmed to be in Israeli hands. http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Gaza

9:10 PM YNet.com reports that 96 prisones have arived at the Ofer Military Prison where they will be checked by Red Cross teams

8:54 PM The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Israeli Consulate, and the Israeli Leadership Council are hosting an event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, starting at 7 AM tomorow with a live feed from Israel. Consul General David Siegel, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Federation Chairman Richard V. Sandler are expected to attend.

8:17 PM  Haaretz.com reports that Shalit is supposed to be transferred to Egyptians at the same time first female Palestinian prisoners are taken to the border.  Since Palestinians are on their way, Gilad Shalit is probably being transferred right now.  http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/the-swap-in-detail-what-will-happen-when-and-where-1.390515

7:58 PM  News video of three vans leaving Israeli prisons is available here (scroll down through the article): http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4135798,00.html

7:39 PM YNet.com reports that the first vehicles leaving Sharon Prison in Central Israel were carrying female prisoners, including Amna Muna, allegedly a powerful and feared prison leader.  Muna was convicted in 2001 of killing a teenaged boy she had lured into a trap via an internet romance.  IDF says she will be released to Gaza.

7:24 PM Jpost.com reports that six protestors tried to block the convey of Palestinian prisoners on Route 4. http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=242168

7:21 PM  YNet reports that Shalit will be transferred to the Rafah crossing at 6 a.m. and handed over to Egyptian mediators, who will bring him to Israel where he will be placed in the custody of the IDF and will telephone his mother.

7:00 pm YNET news reports that the prisoner exchange has begun, with 477 Palestinian prisoners bused to two border crossings, one with Gaza and the other near Ramallah.  Gilad Shalit expected to be released at 6 a.m. Israel time.

More than 1,000 police have been deployed along the routes the prisoners will take, story says. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4136267,00.html