UN Secretary-General Guterres Welcomes Release of Israeli Prisoners from Gaza
Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, welcomed on Monday from the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh the release of several Israeli prisoners held in the Gaza Strip, describing it as a positive step and emphasizing the need for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire.
Guterres expressed hope that the return of these individuals to their families after enduring prolonged suffering and captivity would bring comfort. He also called for the return of the bodies of those who lost their lives while in captivity to their families.
The UN chief stressed that the international community must continue its efforts to strengthen the ceasefire process and to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to him, the United Nations stands alongside all actions aimed at stopping the clashes and alleviating the suffering of civilians in the region.
These remarks by Guterres come as the first phase of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, brokered by the United States, went into effect on Friday. The agreement aims to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the exchange of prisoners between the two sides.
The ceasefire, based on a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, seeks to bring an end to over two years of bloody conflict by Israel in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
