Gilad Shalit (19 at the time of his abduction) was born on August 28, 1986. He is the son of Aviva and Noam Schalit from Mitzpe Hilla in the Western Galilee and the brother of Yoel (25) and Hadas (18). Gilad was born in Nahariya but raised from the age of two in Mitzpe Hila in Western Galilee.  He graduated with distinction from the science class of Manor Kabri High School.  Gilad loves math and sports.  He has enjoyed playing basketball ever since being a child, but is interested in sports in general.  He follows the different leagues and tournaments all over the world, from tennis and basketball to cycling and athletics.  If you wish to know the results of a tournament somewhere in the world, it is Gilad you should ask.

Gilad is a well-mannered, quiet and introverted young man. An almost permanent shy and hesitant smile lights up his face. Gilad is always volunteering to help everyone; even on his short vacations from the army he helped his parents run their “Bed & Breakfast”.

Gilad began his military service about a year before his abduction - at the end of July 2005.  Despite a low medical profile, he preferred to serve in a combat unit and followed his elder brother Yoel into the armored corps.  After successfully completing his training, Gilad was guarding and ensuring the security of the settlements around Gaza when he was abducted by terrorists. 

Since the attack at Kerem Shalom on Sunday, 25 June 2006, Gilad has been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas. 

Zecharya Baumel, Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz

Staff Sgt. Zecharya Baumel, Staff Sgt. Zvi Feldman and Staff Sgt. Yehuda Katz, missing since 11 June 1982, in a battle at Sultan Yakoub in Lebanon.

Major Ron Arad, who was captured on 16 October 1986, after his aircraft was shot down near Sidon, Lebanon. Arad was initially held by Amal (a Shi'ite terrorist organization); however his subsequent fate is still unknown.

Guy Hever, last seen at his army base on the southern Golan Heights on August 17, 1997.