Obama offers 'deepest condolences' to Goldwasser, Regev families
'We have all held out the hope that Israeli soldiers were still alive and would be coming home to their families,' US presidential hopeful says following prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah
WASHINGTON – Barack Obama offered his 'deepest condolences" to the families of IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, whose bodies were returned to Israel Wednesday within the framework of a prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah.
"Since their capture by Hizbullah terrorists in 2006, we have all held out the hope that they were still alive and would be coming home to their families, who campaigned so heroically across the world for their return," the US Democratic presidential hopeful said in a statement posted on his website.
"I was honored to meet last year with Ehud's wife Karnit and his mother Miki, who were visiting Washington on behalf of the Goldwasser, Regev, and Shalit families, and I offered them my hope and prayers and help.
"Michelle and I offer the Goldwasser and Regev families, our deepest condolences on their loss, a tragedy no family should have to bear. In their time of extraordinary grief, an entire nation and friends throughout our country and around the world mourn with them. As they fought so hard for their loved ones' freedom, let us all reaffirm our commitment to win the freedom of the lone remaining Israeli solider held captive by terrorists, Gilad Shalit, so that his family can be spared this pain and welcome him back into their arms," Obama said.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved Israeli families.
The secretary general conveyed his heartfelt condolences and said he is deeply satisfied that the humanitarian aspects of Security Council Resolution 1701 have finally been met.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also offered her condolences.
“I have taken the dog tags all around the world and have shown them to heads of state throughout the Middle East, in the hope that Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev would be returned to their loved ones alive," she said.
"Today, our hope has been replaced by grief. As we mourn, I will hold on to these dog tags as a symbol of the sacrifices made – sacrifices far too great – for peace and security for the state of Israel," she said.
