The leaders of the countries whose citizens are being held hostage in Gaza are calling on Hamas to agree to the Israeli proposal announced by US President Joe Biden on Friday.
"There is no time to waste" they say in their statement. "We call on Hamas to close this deal, which Israel is ready to go ahead with, and begin the process of liberating our citizens."
The statement noted that the proposal "would lead to an immediate ceasefire and restoration of Gaza along with security guarantees for Israelis, and Palestinians, and opportunities for a more durable long-term peace and a two-state solution."
"It is time to end the war and this agreement is the necessary starting point," says the letter, which is signed by the leaders of the US, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark , France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
In detail, the announcement:
"As leaders of countries deeply concerned about the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, including many of our own citizens, we fully support the move towards a ceasefire and hostage release agreement now on the table as outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024. There is no time to lose. We call on Hamas to close this deal, which Israel is ready to go ahead with, and begin the process of liberating our citizens.
We note that this agreement will lead to an immediate ceasefire and restoration of Gaza along with security guarantees for Israelis, and Palestinians, and opportunities for a more lasting long-term peace and a two-state solution. At this critical time, we call on the leaders of Israel as well as Hamas to make whatever final compromises are necessary to close this deal and bring relief to the families of our hostages, as well as those on both sides of this terrible conflict, including the civilian population. It is time for the war to end and this agreement is the necessary starting point."
