Pakistan appreciates ceasefire agreement in Gaza

Islamabad: Pakistan has welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and called for its immediate and full implementation.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan hoped that the truce would lead to a permanent ceasefire and help in scaling up humanitarian assistance.

The spokesperson said indiscriminate use of force by Israeli occupation forces has caused unprecedented loss of lives and property and displacement of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Palestinians.

He stated Israel's expansionist designs have destabilized the entire region.

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's support for a just, comprehensive, and durable solution to the Palestinian issue, leading to the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.  

It is pertinent to note that an agreement has been reached between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has announced in this regard.

The ceasefire process in Gaza consists of three stages. In the first stage, 33 Israeli and 50 Palestinian prisoners will be released. The Israeli army will withdraw from the urban areas of Gaza and the Rafah border. The second stage will begin 16 days after the ceasefire and the steps will be taken to release more prisoners. In the third stage, the reconstruction of Gaza and administrative matters will be decided.