Shalit, 20, was captured in June 2006 in a cross-border raid by Gaza-based Palestinian militants reportedly linked to the Islamist group Hamas, which helped release Alan Johnston, 45, early Wednesday after he spent 114 days in captivity.
"Israel congratulates BBC correspondent Alan Johnston on being released from the abductors' hands and shares the joy of his family and the British nation," the Israeli government said. "Israel also demands that Gilad Shalit, who was captured more than a year ago be freed by his abductors, who are members of Hamas."
Militants have demanded the release of thousands of Palestinian terrorist suspects being held in Israeli prisons in exchange for Shalit. His safe return is seen as a precondition for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Tel Aviv also said that by holding Shalit, Hamas delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Speaking at a news conference following Johnston's release this morning, a Hamas leader blamed Israel for the delay.
"We want to finally resolve the Shalit issue in a fair deal and have our heroes released from Israeli prisons," Ismail Haniya said. "We are waiting for the Israelis to reciprocate, the ball is in their court."
The kidnapping played out against the backdrop of an ongoing power struggle between Hamas and Fatah, which has resulted in scores of deaths and the split of Palestinian lands into Gaza controlled by the Islamist group and the West Bank under the control of President Mahmoud Abbas's movement.
Haniya, the prime minister in the Palestinian coalition government that Abbas dissolved following the seizure of Gaza, said the correspondent's release testified to improved security in the enclave.
Moscow said Wednesday it was satisfied with Johnston's release and hoped corporal Shalit would also be freed soon.
"It is also important that the efforts taken by Hamas to resolve this problem should be backed up by the prompt release of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit," the Foreign Ministry said.
Unlike, the other members of the Middle East "quartet" of mediators - the UN, EU and the U.S., - which have backed Fatah, Russia has insisted all Palestinian factions be engaged in the peace process and said dividing Palestinian territories is dangerous.
