Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange/Release of Gilad Shalit – UK Foreign Secretary statement – UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office press release/Non-UN document

Foreign Secretary statement on Gilad Shalit

Foreign Secretary William Hague: "Mr Shalit’s long captivity has been painful for his family and I hope that he will be reunited with them as soon as possible."

Speaking today, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“I welcome the agreement between Israel and Hamas to release Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, next month as part of a prisoner exchange. Holding him in captivity has been utterly unjustified from the beginning and yet it has gone on for 5 long years.  We have always called for his unconditional release.  We are pleased that this long overdue development is finally taking place.  Mr Shalit’s long captivity has been painful for his family and I hope that he will be reunited with them as soon as possible.

“The UK supports all such efforts to build confidence and trust between all parties.”