Grapel took part in the Israeli 2006 war on Lebanon and was wounded in the fighting

Egyptian man kneels while arriving at the blue metal gate

After being a mediator in the successful Israeli-Palestinian swap deal that freed Gilad Shalit in return for 1,027 Palestinian detainees of whom 477 have so far been released, today Egypt becomes a part of a swap deal with the Israeli enemy.

25 Egyptians were released on Thursday at the Taba border crossing to the Sinai under the terms of a prisoner exchange that saw the release of an Israeli-American man held in Egypt for spying.

Freed Egyptians crossed the border home where some bowed down in prayer for their unexpected freedom.

Ilan Grapel, who was flown to Tel Aviv, apparently entered Egypt in January. In June, Egyptian authorities accused him of being an agent for Israel's Mossad intelligence service as he was reportedly engaged in espionage and incitement activities.

Grapel allegedly said he was Muslim on the visa application that he filed with the Egyptian Embassy in Tel Aviv and then entered Egypt using his American passport. He claimed he came to Egypt to intern for a nongovernmental organization that assists refugees from Sudan and elsewhere.

He had reportedly took part in the Israeli 2006 war on Lebanon and was wounded in the fighting. He later returned to the US to study.

Difference in treatment

While Grapel was thankful to the good treatment he received in prison, Egyptian detainees complained about the harsh way they witnessed in Israeli jails.

“With all the turmoil going on in Egypt, I have to thank the Egyptian authorities that treated me respectfully and according to the tenets of their religion,” Grapel said. He said late on Thursday in occupied al-Quds (Jerusalem) that Egyptian authorities “made sure that I was fed well [and] respected me”.

“It was a tough ordeal as I was isolated, but the guards were OK. What I wanted to eat, they gave me, including fresh fish. They paid for my meals, more than the average Egyptian would get,” he said.

Grapel thanked Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other officials for enabling his release. “I appreciate all the help and all the attention and all the care,” he said.

Freed prisoner Mursi Barakat, while being interviewed by the Egyptian state television, said: “The treatment in jail was very tough and it was clear there was discrimination.” “I’ve been in jail since 2005. Thank God. I feel reborn.”