Israeli-Hizbollah Humanitarian Gestures Welcomed

Secretary-General lauds Israeli-Hizbollah exchange of humanitarian gestures

Welcoming the exchange of humanitarian gestures by Israel and Hizbollah mediated by his facilitator, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced hope that this will create momentum to push both sides to comply with the key humanitarian demands of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended last year's war in Lebanon.

Israel and Hizbollah confirmed this week that the remains of an Israeli civilian were swapped for a Lebanese prisoner and the bodies of two Hizbollah members.

Mr. Ban "calls again on all sides concerned to move ahead decisively in releasing the two abducted Israeli soldiers [Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser] without any further delay and to find the necessary solutions for the remaining Lebanese citizens that are still in Israeli detention," according to a statement by his spokesperson.

"No further effort should be spared to comply urgently with the basic humanitarian demands of compassion with the victims," the Secretary-General added.

ENDS

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