Gilad Shalit - a young Israeli soldier captured and held since 2006 by Gaza militants - is finally going home.
A deal's been reached between Israel and Hamas to swap more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in return for the lone Israeli soldier.
The agreement, which resolves a long-running, emotive and difficult issue between the two sides, was largely welcomed by both sides.
One Jerusalem resident said Shalit's release was long overdue.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JERUSALEM RESIDENT, NACHUM:
"Well I think it's a deal that should happen and I'm sorry it didn't happen many many years ago."
Others expressed reservations about the terms of the deal.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JERUSALEM RESIDENT, YAACOV:
"I'm happy for the Shalits. It shouldn't happen to anybody else again, but unfortunately I don't know if it's the right thing and at what cost."
While the spotlight has been on the Shalits, hundreds of Palestinian families will also be celebrating at the release of their loved ones.
Qassem Razem is the father of an east Jerusalem detainee who has served 30 years in prison.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FATHER OF PALESTINIAN PRISONER EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED:
"This is what I wish for, and what we wait for too. What more could we ask for? If those who have been serving for many years are released, and we have been longing to see them for years. I haven't seen my son in five years."
The 1,027 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released in two stages, with around half swapped for Shalit within a week and the rest freed two months later.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.
