Israel - Hamas War : Truce Should be Extended says Arab Nations
On Wednesday, Arab foreign ministers hailed a deal between israel and Gaza terrorist organization Hamas for a temporary truce but stressed it should be prolonged and used as a first step towards a comprehensive halt of hostilities. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and jordan told a press conference in london that the agreement, which includes hostage releases and increased aid to the devastated Gaza Strip, should eventually lead to the resumption of talks on a two-state solution to the broader Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Under Wednesday's interim truce agreement, israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day break in combat in exchange for the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza and the introduction of humanitarian assistance into the enclave. Saudi Foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that humanitarian assistance should be extended and expanded, rather than being dependent on more hostage releases.
"Whatever humanitarian access now increases as a result of this hostage deal must remain in place and must be built upon," the prime minister added.
"There must never be a diminution in this access depending on progress towards additional captive release... Punishing the civilian population of Gaza for the hostage-taking is completely unacceptable."
The battle began on october 7, when Hamas gunmen and other terrorists crossed the data-border into israel, murdering 1,200 civilians and Israeli soldiers and kidnapping another 240 others.
According to Gaza's Hamas-run government, israel replied with a severe bombing and later invasion of the Gaza Strip, killing approximately 13,000 Palestinians, including at least 5,600 children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been driven south from northern Gaza.
Under Wednesday's interim truce agreement, israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day break in combat in exchange for the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza and the introduction of humanitarian assistance into the enclave. Saudi Foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that humanitarian assistance should be extended and expanded, rather than being dependent on more hostage releases.
"Whatever humanitarian access now increases as a result of this hostage deal must remain in place and must be built upon," the prime minister added.
"There must never be a diminution in this access depending on progress towards additional captive release... Punishing the civilian population of Gaza for the hostage-taking is completely unacceptable."
The battle began on october 7, when Hamas gunmen and other terrorists crossed the data-border into israel, murdering 1,200 civilians and Israeli soldiers and kidnapping another 240 others.
According to Gaza's Hamas-run government, israel replied with a severe bombing and later invasion of the Gaza Strip, killing approximately 13,000 Palestinians, including at least 5,600 children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been driven south from northern Gaza.