The leaders of 18 countriesincluding the US, France, Britain and Brazil, are calling today in a joint text for the “immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza”.
“We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for over 200 days now,” the countries’ statement said, which a US official called an impressive show of unanimity.
The 18 countries all have citizens held hostage by the Hamas six months after the attack launched by the Palestinian Islamist group on October 7 in southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed.
“The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza, who are protected by international law, is of international concern,” the text states. The signatories are the leaders of the US, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and Britain.
“We stress that the agreement on the table for the release of the hostages will lead to an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza, facilitate an increase in much-needed humanitarian aid to be distributed throughout Gaza and lead to a real end to hostilities “, it is emphasized.
A senior US official, who briefed reporters on the statement, said there were some signs there might be a path to a deal in the hostage crisis, but he was not entirely sure.
He did not go into details, but pointed out that the decision depends on “one man”, Hamas leader Yahya Shinuwar.
Source: RES-MPE
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