Once again a rumor posted to WhatsApp has gone viral, creating a stir in certain circles. This particular rumor earlier this week reported that Gilad Shalit was killed in a vehicular accident. Shalit was held in Hamas captivity for over five years before being released in an exchange deal in October 2011 that resulted in Israel setting free over 1,000 terrorists.

The rumor stated that Shalit was killed in a vehicle accident in northern Israel and his father, Mr. Noam Shalit, had been seriously injured. The report added that there was a gag order on the accident and details.

When the Shalit family heard of the rumor it was quick to release a statement that Gilad and Noam are B”H alive and well and they were not involved in an accident or injured in any way.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)