The leaders of countries whose citizens are held as hostages in Gaza have called on Hamas to accept the Israeli hostage-ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden last week.
“There is no time to lose,” a Times of Israel report quoted a joint statement signed by the leaders of the US, UK, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain and Thailand.
“We call on Hamas to close this agreement, that Israel is ready to move forward with, and begin the process of releasing our citizens,” the statement added.
The statement added that the proposal aims to achieve an instant ceasefire and Gaza’s rehabilitation, while ensuring security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Additionally, it seeks to create opportunities for a lasting peace and the realisation of a two-state solution.
“It is time for the war to end and this deal is the necessary starting point,” the statement further said.
According to the report, citing the Saudi Ashraq news outlet, Hamas earlier today had circulated a memo rejecting the offer, but Israel has yet to receive a formal response.
Biden last week outlined what he called a three-phase Israeli plan to halt the fighting for six weeks while hostages held by militants in Gaza are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and aid is stepped up.
G7 powers and Arab states have backed the proposal announced by Biden, although sticking points remain - Hamas insists on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal, demands that Israel has flatly rejected.
Gaza’s bloodiest ever war was sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Militants also took 251 hostages, 120 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead.
Israel’s ensuing bombardment and ground offensive have killed at least 36,586 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Israel has faced growing diplomatic isolation over its conduct of the war, with cases against it before two international courts, and several European governments recognising a Palestinian state.
With inputs from agencies
