Israeli-Palestinian prisoner exchange a 'humanitarian breakthrough' - Ban
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 18 October 2011 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Israeli-Palestinian prisoner exchange a 'humanitarian breakthrough' - Ban, 18 October 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4ea108232.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban noted that "he has long called for the end of unacceptable captivity of [Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit and has also called for the release of Palestinian prisoners."
Hamas today released Mr. Shalit, who had been held captive since June 2006, in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners by IsrIn the aftermath, the Secretary-General hopes that more far-reaching steps will be taken to end the closure of Gaza and enable reconstruction.ael. The first 477 of those prisoners were released today.
Responding to a reporter's question in Geneva, Mr. Ban said he was very encouraged by today's actions and voiced hope that the two parties will return to negotiations so they can realize the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
In the statement Mr. Ban thanked Egypt and Germany for their contributions to the process that led to the prisoner exchange.
"In the aftermath, the Secretary-General hopes that more far-reaching steps will be taken to end the closure of Gaza and enable reconstruction. He continues to call in the same context for an end to the smuggling of weapons and a sustained calm between Israel and Gaza."