By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday said that he is encouraged by the news from Hamas leadership that it was willing to release Israeli hostages in response to the US peace deal proposal to end the war in Gaza, provided further negotiations take place through mediators on a number of key details.
UN spokesman’s office issued a statement on behalf of Mr. Guterres in New York stated that the militant group indicated it was also prepared to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body as part of a lasting deal to end the fighting, based on “Palestinian national consensus and Arabic and Islamic support.”
Mr. Guterres said that in response, President Trump peace deal plan along with Israeli Prime Minister President Benjamin Netanyahu and many world leaders who agreed to the 20-point plan took to his social media platform and called on Israel to stop bombing Gaza.
Trump added that he believes the group “are ready for a lasting peace.”
Hamas indicated that the US President’s comments were “encouraging” and that it was ready to negotiate further, according to media reports.
“The Secretary-General welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage on the basis of the recent proposal by US President Donald J. Trump,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson.
It said “He urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end.”
Mr. Guterres thanked Qatar and Egypt for “their invaluable mediation work” alongside the US, the statement noted.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his consistent call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and unfettered humanitarian access,” the statement addedd.
Guterres underlined it would support all efforts towards ending the war “to prevent even more suffering.”
UN relief chief Tom Fletcher said the UN was ready and eager to act on the window of opportunity provided by the US initiative on Gaza, reacted to President Trump plan.
Over 170,000 metric tonnes of food, medicine, shelter and other desperately needed supplies are on standby, poised to enter the decimated Strip from across the region, OCHA chied stated.
Mr. Fletcher said that the Israeli-controlled crossings would need to open and there must be safe movement for civilians and aid workers; unrestricted entry of goods; visas for staff; the space for humanitarians to operate; and the private sector to be revived.
UN aid teams warned that the situation in northern Gaza continues to rapidly deteriorate, as Israel continues its military offensive to seize full control of Gaza City, with tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians unable to leave.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in a regular press briefing in New York said “Military operations and heavy strikes, hitting residential areas and buildings, are driving up the death toll and continue to wreak havoc on the area.”
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