A day after returning to his home in Mitzpe Hila after five years in Hamas captivity, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will mark the Simchat Torah holiday at home with his family on Wednesday night.

With the onset of the holiday, the number of onlookers on the streets of Mitzpe Hila lessened. However, a police checkpoint was still located at the entrance to Shalit’s street and people are still being prevented from approaching the Shalit home.

Many visitors brought flowers for the Shalit family. Toward evening, the last of the activists who campaigned for Shalit’s release left Mitzpe Hila.

“This is the end of one phase of my life and the beginning of another,” said activist Ella Hefetz, with tears in her eyes.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces medical officers arrived at the Shalit home.

Shalit was also spotted on Wednesday taking a stroll outside home, accompanied by his mother Aviva and military mental health officials.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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