Ukraine’s MFA welcomes agreement between Israel and Hamas

This was stated in a comment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform.

“We hope that the parties will be able to achieve in practice a sustainable end to the armed conflict, which has led to irreparable human losses and serious destruction of social and humanitarian infrastructure facilities,” the ministry emphasized.

The MFA urged both parties to strictly adhere to their commitments and praised the mediation efforts of the United States, the State of Qatar, and Egypt. These efforts facilitated the agreement on the release of hostages and established mutually acceptable approaches for future stabilization in Gaza.

The ministry stressed the critical importance of ensuring unhindered access for UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations to the Gaza Strip to provide urgent assistance to Palestinians.

Ukraine reiterated its readiness to assist those in need, including by supplying food to civilians in crisis situations. The MFA confirmed that Ukraine would continue to provide humanitarian support to the Palestinian people.

“In the context of the prospects for wider normalization in the region, we proceed from the fact that the practical implementation of the principle of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only way to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace, as well as regional stability,” the statement noted.

Ukraine’s MFA underlined the necessity to restore the Middle East peace process through the unconditional implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and previously reached international agreements.

As reported by Ukrinform, on January 18, the Israeli government approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages.

According to Israeli officials, the first phase of the agreement includes the release of three women among the 33 hostages, expected to take place during the initial 42-day phase of the deal.

On January 19, the ceasefire agreement between the Israeli government and Hamas officially came into effect.

Hamas handed over the first three hostages, including Romanian and British nationals, to Red Cross representatives.

Hamas had launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking up to 250 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military operation against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.