LOC23:29
20:29 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday
urged Hamas leaders to immediately release Gilad Shalit after five years in
captivity and prove to his family that he is alive, expressing hope that his
release would lead to the release of a number of Palestinians in Israeli
jails, his press office said in a statement.
"On the fifth anniversary of the captivity of Israeli Staff Sergeant Gilad
Shalit, the Secretary-General calls for his immediate release. He also joins
the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in
calling on Hamas to protect his life, treat him humanely, prove that he is
alive and allow the Shalit family to have contact with their son," the
statement said.
It added that the United Nations on the ground will continue to support the
conclusion of negotiation efforts to secure his release, "which would also
entail the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners. The Secretary-General
is convinced that this issue must now be resolved."
He was captured in June 2006 by Hamas in a cross-border raid. (end)
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