Leaders from around the world on Thursday welcomed the news of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine which ended the more than the 10-day conflict that caused destruction on both sides as thousands of rockets were fired between them.
Israeli security cabinet on Thursday unanimously adopted Egypt’s initiative for a bilateral unconditional ceasefire, which took effect at 23:00 GMT on Thursday. At least 217 Palestinians and 12 Israelis have died in the conflict.
The Security Cabinet this evening unanimously accepted the recommendation of all of the security officials, the IDF Chief-of-Staff, the head of the ISA, the head of the Mossad and the head of the National Security Council (1/3)
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 20, 2021
The United States President Joe Biden announced that the US will provide rapid humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza after the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
“We remain committed working with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and marshal international support for the people of Gaza and the Gaza reconstruction efforts,” Biden said.
The US president vowed to coordinate assistance with the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority and not Hamas, which de-facto rules Gaza.
I believe that Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live in safety and security and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy.
My Administration will continue our quiet and relentless diplomacy toward that end. pic.twitter.com/mXe39TyVMz
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 20, 2021
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine and called on all parties to observe it. “I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel after 11 days of deadly hostilities,” Guterres said on Thursday. “I call on all sides to observe the ceasefire.”
I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza & Israel, after days of deadly hostilities.
All sides must observe this ceasefire.
Israeli & Palestinian leaders have a responsibility beyond the restoration of calm to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict. pic.twitter.com/VQHQMpadY8
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 21, 2021
European Council President Charles Michel has also welcomed the ceasefire reached by Israel and the Gaza Strip-based Hamas Islamist group. “Welcome announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ending the 11-day conflict. Opportunity for peace and security for citizens must be seized,” Michel tweeted.
Welcome announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ending the 11-day conflict.
Opportunity for peace and security for citizens must be seized.
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) May 20, 2021
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he spoke with leaders from both Israel and Palestine and welcomed his confirmation that the parties had agreed to a ceasefire.
“I spoke with @IsraelMFA @Gabi_Ashkenazi today and welcomed his confirmation that the parties had agreed to a ceasefire, mediated by Egypt,” Blinken tweeted. “I will be traveling to the region in the coming days and look forward to meeting the Foreign Minister and other Israeli, Palestinian, and regional leaders,” he added.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that all sides must work to make the ceasefire durable and end the unacceptable cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. “Welcome news of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. All sides must work to make the ceasefire durable and end the unacceptable cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. UK continues to support efforts to bring about peace.”
Canada welcomes the news of a potential ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians, but it is only the beginning, Canada’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bob Rae said on Thursday.
« Canada stands firmly with both the Israeli & Palestinian people in their right to live in peace, security, with dignity, without fear, & with their human rights fully respected.
– @bobrae48 at the #UNGA meeting on the #MiddleEast
Full statement: https://t.co/5SGOQN1f7N pic.twitter.com/jwvNlxuC3W
— Canada Mission UN (@CanadaUN) May 21, 2021
UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said he is ready to convene another special meeting on the Palestinian question if such action would be necessary.
“We will watch it – if the ceasefire is implemented or not,” Bozkir said on Thursday. “If necessary, and if it is found useful, I will convene another meeting on Palestine to keep the pressure, if necessary, on the parties.”
I issued an Appeal for Peace following #UNGA meeting on #MiddleEast & #Palestine. There is broad, near unanimous, support for the way forward towards a just and comprehensive peace. Read my full statement: https://t.co/0SPfbucwti pic.twitter.com/M1UToiluRD
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) May 20, 2021
India has also expressed deep concern at clashes and violence called on both sides to avoid changing the status-quo on the ground.
TS Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nation, condemned the airstrikes from Gaza to Israel, he also mourned the lives lost on both sides of the border.
“We condemn the indiscriminate rocket firings from Gaza into Israel, which have caused deaths of a number of civilians. India has also tragically lost one of its nationals during this rocket fire – a caregiver living in Ashkelon in Israel. The retaliatory strikes into Gaza have also resulted in deaths and destruction. We deeply mourn the loss of the lives of innocent civilians, including the Indian national, in the current cycle of violence. We reiterate our strong condemnation of all acts of provocation, violence, and destruction,” he said in an official statement.
Recent incidents once again underscored need for immediate resumption of dialogue b/w Israel & Palestinian authorities. We believe every effort should be made to create conducive conditions for resumption of direct talks b/w Israel & Palestine: Permanent Rep of India to the UN
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2021
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly held an emergency meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Later in the day, the Israeli security cabinet unanimously adopted Egypt’s initiative for a bilateral unconditional ceasefire, which would take effect at 23:00 GMT on Thursday. Hamas has also confirmed its plans to abide by the truce, Sputnik reported.
(With ANI Inputs)
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