“As leaders of countries deeply concerned about the hostages held by HAMAS in Gaza, including many of our own citizens, we fully support the movement toward a ceasefire and hostage release agreement now under discussion, as outlined by the President Biden on May 31, 2024. There is no time to waste. We urge Hamas to close this agreement with which Israel is ready to move forward, and begin the process of liberating our citizens.
We note that this agreement would lead to an immediate ceasefire and the rehabilitation of Gaza along with security guarantees for Israelis and Palestinians, and opportunities for a more durable long-term peace and a two-State solution. At this decisive moment, we call on Israel’s leaders as well as Hamas to make whatever final commitments are necessary to reach this agreement and provide relief to the families of our hostages, as well as those on both sides of this terrible conflict, including civilian populations. “It is time for the war to end and this agreement is the necessary starting point.”
