An Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza for five years by Hamas is engaged, it has been announced.

Gilad Shalit proposed to his girlfriend Nitzan Shabbat on Valentine’s Day last week.

She posted a photograph to her Instagram account displaying her diamond engagement ring.

Mr Shalit, 33, was captured by Hamas in June 2006 during an IDF raid using cross-border tunnels into Gaza.

He was held captive for the next five years and four months, with his detention becoming a major political issue in Israel.

His release was finally secured in October 2011 when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for him.

Mr Shalt left the IDF and went on to become a sports reporter.

News of his engagement was firstly announced on Twitter by Emmanuel Nahshon, Israel’s ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg.