Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom also signed.
All represent countries that have citizens who are trapped or missing in Gaza following the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel last October. There is growing concern about the health of the hostages, after more than six months of captivity.
“The fate of the hostages and civilian population in Gaza, who are protected by international law, is of international concern,” the leaders declared.
“We emphasize that the agreement on the table to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, which would facilitate an increase in necessary additional humanitarian assistance to be delivered across the Gaza Strip and lead to a credible end to hostilities “, they pointed out. “Gaza residents could return to their homes and lands with advance preparations to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions.”
“We strongly support ongoing mediation efforts to bring our people home,” the leaders said. “We reiterate our call on Hamas to release the hostages and put an end to this crisis so that, collectively, we can focus our efforts on bringing peace and stability to the region,” they added.
Hamas responds
Hours after the announcement of the joint statement, the Palestinian group insisted that American pressure “has no weight” and that any release of hostages would only occur with the end of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Tags: Lula Biden world leaders pressure Hamas release hostages
