The leaders of 17 countries, including Portugal and Brazil, called on Hamas this Thursday to accept the ceasefire announced by US President Joe Biden and to release hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
“There is no time to waste. We call on Hamas to conclude this agreement, with which Israel is ready to move forward, and begin the process of liberating our citizens,” said a joint statement issued in London and Washington.
The joint declaration was signed by Germany, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Spain, USA, France, Poland, Portugal, Great Britain, Romania, Serbia and Thailand.
In the text, they said they were “deeply concerned about the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza,” including citizens from 17 countries, and expressed support for the agreement Biden released on May 31.
“We note that this agreement will lead to an immediate ceasefire and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, as well as security guarantees for Israelis and Palestinians and opportunities for stronger long-term peace and a two-state solution,” they said.
They called on “the leaders of Israel and Hamas to make the final commitments necessary to achieve this deal.”
Closing the agreement will “provide relief to the families of our hostages, as well as to people on both sides of this terrible conflict, including civilians,” the leaders said.
“The time has come to end the war, and this agreement is a necessary starting point,” they added.
The war was sparked by an unprecedented attack on Israeli soil by a Palestinian extremist group on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people, according to Israel.
Of the 252 people of various nationalities kidnapped in the attack, 121 remain in custody in the Gaza Strip, 37 of whom have died, according to Israeli authorities.
In response to the attack, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip that has already killed more than 36,600 people, according to the government of the enclave, which has been controlled by the extremist group since 2007.
Biden announced a roadmap for achieving a permanent ceasefire under certain conditions in stages.
The first stage involves a six-week ceasefire, accompanied by the withdrawal of Israeli troops from densely populated areas of Gaza, the release of some hostages, women and patients, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
According to the US President, the general directions of the second stage of the plan will be agreed upon during the ceasefire.
If the negotiations are completed, hostilities will finally cease, all hostages, including soldiers, will return home, and the Israeli army will completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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