The ceasefire involves agreements on the first phase, during which prisoners and hostages will be exchanged, among other things. Stopping the bombing and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza is hugely important to finally give civilians the relief they need.
This is good news and an important first step. At the same time, more steps are needed to move towards a sustainable ceasefire. It is essential to work towards that now. Israel’s military presence in Gaza must cease completely and there must be a complete end to the blockade of Gaza so that humanitarian aid can enter unimpeded and unrestricted.
In addition to a sustainable ceasefire, we need to look further into a sustainable future at all. The root causes must therefore be addressed: an end to all occupation, inequality and apartheid.
Moreover, it is important that the truce in Gaza does not result in further annexation of the West Bank in a private deal between other parties. It is crucial that the international community now follow through and ensure that international law is respected. We remain committed to this.