Netanyahu asks UN chief to help return captured Israeli soldiers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to help return Israeli soldiers captured in Gaza, PalSawa.com reported yesterday.

During a meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that Hamas aims to eradicate the Israeli people, claiming that it announced its plans to wipe Israel off the map.

For his part, Ban said that it is “illogical” for anyone to “glorify” terrorism. He stressed the importance of mutual recognition, stressing that security solutions alone do not solve the conflict with the Palestinians.

He noted that it is “impossible” to ignore the reason that led to violence, saying that the reason is the paralysis of the peace process and the Israeli occupation which has been on going for half a century.