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On Wednesday, US President-elect Donald Trump firmly stated that his administration will not allow the Gaza Strip to return to the status of a “terrorist haven”. His statement came after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached with the mediation of Qatar, the United States and Egypt, AFP reports.
“We will work closely with Israel and its allies to ensure that the Gaza Strip is never again a safe haven for terrorists,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
15 months of war are over
On Wednesday, an agreement was reached on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The 15-month-long conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused a massive humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to AFP, the agreement was made possible through intensive diplomatic efforts. Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held separate talks with Hamas representatives and Israeli delegations, which eventually led to the signing of the agreement.
The international community welcomes the agreement
The European Union, France, Germany, Turkey and other countries have expressed support for the agreement. European Commissioner Dubravka Šuika called it a “necessary respite” for those affected by the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron noted that the agreement should be “the first step towards a political solution”. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of humanitarian aid to Gaza, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stressed the need to respect international law.
Trump’s pressure
Much of the negotiations took place under pressure from the administration of the US president-elect. Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas to release hostages before his inauguration, which, according to experts, was a key factor in the deal.
For its part, Turkey has expressed its readiness to help Gaza rebuild, and President Erdogan has stressed the importance of ensuring lasting peace in the region.
