Very little information has been released about Shalit in the five years he has been held captive by Hamas, although Hamas periodically released videos or letters from him.
The first letter, which seemed to be dictated by his kidnappers, was delivered in September 2006. In it, he warned that his mental and physical health was deteriorating, the BBC reports. An audio recording, again warning of his health, was released in June 2007. There are reports of other letters in February and June 2008.
In October 2009, Hamas released a video of Shalit holding a Gazan newspaper dated Sept. 14, 2009. The video, which was given to Israel in exchange for the release of 20 Palestinian female prisoners, showed him to be in “reasonable health,” BBC reports.
Hamas did not permit the International Committee of the Red Cross or any other humanitarian organization to visit Shalit during his captivity.
