The relatives of Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were deeply disappointed following their meeting with the world body leader, who said he had no new information on their loved ones.
However, Karnit Goldwasser, Ehud's wife, noted at least one positive sign: "We received a personal pledge ... that he accepts the mission to get the three kidnapped soldiers home, and that's a really big thing." She added that Annan "spoke to Lebanese cabinet ministers from Hizbullah and asked them to help him."
Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Gillerman, met with the families prior to their talk with Annan, and urged them to keep the issue on personal and moral ground. “In the coming days, [Annan] is about to visit countries with both an interest and great influence in terms of this issue," Gillerman told them. “I certainly hope that this meeting will raise his moral commitment.”
The families also spoke about their concern for the hostages' well-being. "They must first of all give us a sign of life," said Regev's brother Benny.
Noam Shalit, father of Gilad, who was kidnapped into Gaza, said he has not heard of even one public or international official who has visited or seen his son since his abduction ten weeks ago.
Annan also met with Defense Minister Amir Peretz to discuss implementation of the shaky ceasefire agreement - UN Resolution 1701. Israel agreed to it, despite earlier promises by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Peretz to keep fighting until the captives were returned.
Annan began his trip on Monday in Beirut, where he met with Lebanese officials. "We need to resolve the issue of the abducted soldiers very quickly," he said, adding, "Obviously the issue of the [Lebanese] prisoners... will also have to be dealt with."
Annan also called on Israel to lift its air and sea blockade against Lebanon. Israel refuses to do so until concrete measures are taken to prevent Hizbullah from receiving new supplies of arms from Syria and Iran.
The families of the hostages have called for Annan to back down from his demand that Israel lift the blockade. They are concerned that terrorists will be able to take the hostages out of Lebanon if the siege is ended.
After his meeting with Annan, Peretz said he hopes that Israel will soon be able to lift the blockade, but did not specify when or how that might be accomplished.
U.S. civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson met with Hamas chief Khaled Meshal in Damascus on Tuesday. Meshal told Jackson told that IDF hostage Gilad Shalit is alive and being kept in a "safe location." Jackson is in the Middle East on a shuttle diplomacy tour in an effort to secure the three abducted Israelis' release in exchange for Arab terrorists being held in Israel.
However, Karnit Goldwasser, Ehud's wife, noted at least one positive sign: "We received a personal pledge ... that he accepts the mission to get the three kidnapped soldiers home, and that's a really big thing." She added that Annan "spoke to Lebanese cabinet ministers from Hizbullah and asked them to help him."
Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Gillerman, met with the families prior to their talk with Annan, and urged them to keep the issue on personal and moral ground. “In the coming days, [Annan] is about to visit countries with both an interest and great influence in terms of this issue," Gillerman told them. “I certainly hope that this meeting will raise his moral commitment.”
The families also spoke about their concern for the hostages' well-being. "They must first of all give us a sign of life," said Regev's brother Benny.
Noam Shalit, father of Gilad, who was kidnapped into Gaza, said he has not heard of even one public or international official who has visited or seen his son since his abduction ten weeks ago.
Annan also met with Defense Minister Amir Peretz to discuss implementation of the shaky ceasefire agreement - UN Resolution 1701. Israel agreed to it, despite earlier promises by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Peretz to keep fighting until the captives were returned.
Annan began his trip on Monday in Beirut, where he met with Lebanese officials. "We need to resolve the issue of the abducted soldiers very quickly," he said, adding, "Obviously the issue of the [Lebanese] prisoners... will also have to be dealt with."
Annan also called on Israel to lift its air and sea blockade against Lebanon. Israel refuses to do so until concrete measures are taken to prevent Hizbullah from receiving new supplies of arms from Syria and Iran.
The families of the hostages have called for Annan to back down from his demand that Israel lift the blockade. They are concerned that terrorists will be able to take the hostages out of Lebanon if the siege is ended.
After his meeting with Annan, Peretz said he hopes that Israel will soon be able to lift the blockade, but did not specify when or how that might be accomplished.
U.S. civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson met with Hamas chief Khaled Meshal in Damascus on Tuesday. Meshal told Jackson told that IDF hostage Gilad Shalit is alive and being kept in a "safe location." Jackson is in the Middle East on a shuttle diplomacy tour in an effort to secure the three abducted Israelis' release in exchange for Arab terrorists being held in Israel.