 Shalit was the first Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian militants since Nachshon Wachsman in 1994.Shalit, having a rank of Corporal in the IDF's Armor Corps at the time of his capture, was promoted to Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, and then Sergeant Major on the eve of his release.Shalit was born on 28 August 1986 in Nahariya, Israel, to Noam and Aviva Shalit.