Luanda - The ambassador of the State of Palestine to Angola, Jubrael Shomali, said on Tuesday in Luanda that the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas group marks the end of a conflict that has left thousands dead and destroyed much of the infrastructure in Gaza.
Jubrael Shomali, who was speaking to ANGOP about the ceasefire agreement reached in Doha between Hamas and Israel with the mediation of the United States of America, Qatar and Egypt, said the recent agreement puts an end to the death and starvation of many people, including children and civilians.
According to the ambassador, the ceasefire marks the end of a conflict that began on 7 October 2023 and has resulted in thousands of deaths, the destruction of infrastructure and the resistance of the Palestinian people.
Following the ceasefire agreement, the diplomat continued, Palestine is now preparing to receive the population returning home, as well as transferring the sick and injured to hospital units outside Gaza, as most of the hospitals in Gaza have been destroyed.
Jubrael Shomali added that with this move, the Palestinian government is showing its solidarity with the victims of the conflict and preparing to begin the process of rebuilding Gaza.
The ambassador said that the Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza, have suffered greatly as a result of the conflict between Hamas and Israel and are in need of everything from food, medical aid and sturdy tents to protect them from the winter and cold.
The Palestinian diplomat stressed that the peace deal signed on 15 January will allow for the reconstruction of Gaza, which is one of the key clauses of the agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
According to the ambassador, there are good long-term prospects for peace between Hamas and Israel, which enjoys international consensus and will pave the way for a lasting peace.
Israel's ambassador to Angola, Shimon Solomon, on his turn expressed satisfaction and optimism about the peace agreement signed between his country and the Hamas group, the practical implementation of which began with the release of three Israeli hostages by the Hamas group and 90 Palestinians by the Israeli authorities.
The Israeli ambassador said that he expects the process to continue as it is, as more hostages are expected to be released in accordance with the signed agreements.
Like Palestine, the Israeli diplomat said, Israel hopes that this agreement, or the clauses of the agreement, will be fulfilled by the parties and that the ceasefire will make it possible to bring back all the captured Israeli citizens, a total of 90, while his country will also release the citizens of Gaza.
The diplomat also said that the ceasefire will allow and facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid into Gaza, from food to medical assistance and other goods that the population needs.
Shimon Solomon stressed that although the prospects for peace between Israel and Hamas are not good, the agreement is an important step for the stability of both countries.
The ambassador added that the war was not against Palestine, but against the Hamas group operating in the Gaza Strip, and that he hoped the ceasefire, which has international consensus, would be respected and successfully implemented.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement came into force on Sunday 19 and has so far led to the release of three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners.
The first phase of the agreement will see the gradual exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. MOY/JM/AMP
