Brazil and 17 other countries release a statement calling for the immediate release of hostages in the Gaza Strip | National Newspaper

Brazil and 17 other countries release a statement calling for the immediate release of hostages in the Gaza Strip

Brazil and 17 other countries – including the United States, Argentina and France – released a statement calling for the immediate release of the hostages in the Gaza Strip. Nations have citizens among those kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas.

“The fate of the hostages and population in Gaza, who are protected by international law, is a cause for international concern,” the document says.

In the letter, the countries state that the Agreement to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which would facilitate the increase in humanitarian assistance delivered throughout the Palestinian territory.

The document states that, based on the agreement, Palestinians in Gaza could return home. In the assessment of the signatory countries, the agreement would also lead to a credible end to hostilities.

The statement ends by reiterating the nations’ call to Hamas to release the hostages and let the countries put an end to this crisis.

In Tel Aviv, Families and friends protested for the government to make a deal to release the hostages while the war cabinet met.

The meeting was to plan a ground offensive in Rafah, a city in the south of the Gaza Strip, which received more than a million Palestinians looking for shelter. The Army reported that it is ready to begin the operation, but is awaiting the government’s decision.

During the night, buildings in the city were hit by an air raid.

Abdallah Nabhan, a humanitarian NGO worker from Belgium, died alongside his seven-year-old son. The Belgian government demanded explanations from Israel. The Army said it is investigating the case.