Egyptian newswoman says glad she met Shalit

Shahira Amin, the Egyptian reporter who was criticized in Israel for an interview she held with Gilad Shalit immediately after his release from Hamas captivity, says she has no regrets.

"This brief encounter may have opened people's eyes to the fact that everyone is paying the price for this conflict," she wrote on her Facebook days after segments from an interview Shalit recently gave were published.

Related stories:

• Gilad Shalit speaks of Hamas captivity
  
• Egyptian newswoman defends Shalit interview
  
• 'I did not take advantage of Shalit'
  

Amin expressed sorrow over the fact that the interview had "revived memories" of her own meeting with the former captive soldier.

Amin's Facebook post

The Egyptian newswoman said she was "still glad" she met Shalit and said she looks forward to "the day when peace will come to this region and a simple dialogue won't draw a vicious backlash from those who hate peace."

Amin's interview with Shalit

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הסרטון נשלח לחברך

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In his interview with Channel 10, Shalit was asked about the controversial interview held shortly before he was transferred back to Israel and said: "She didn't hug me or anything, she just shook my hand.

"She was the first woman I saw in five and a half years," he added.

Amin was heavily criticized in Israel after Shalit's release and posted a Facebook status defending her actions. "I did not take advantage of Gilad Shalit as the Israeli media is reporting," she wrote.

According to Amin, she only spent a few minutes with him before he was handed over to Israeli officials: "I told him the world was waiting to see and hear him. Had he said he wouldn't do it, I would not have pressed him. I have all the compassion for him and wish him the best."

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