Pope calls for Gaza ceasefire to be 'immediately respected'
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The Israeli genocide has caused widespread devastation, leaving tens of thousands dead, injured, or missing and displacing millions of residents.
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Pope Francis delivers his speech during a mass on the World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on November 17, 2024. (AP)
Pope Francis called for an "immediately respected" truce in Gaza on Sunday, thanking mediators and urging increased humanitarian supplies and the release of Israeli captives.
"I express gratitude to all the mediators," the Argentine pontiff said immediately after a ceasefire took effect, expressing hope that "it will be immediately respected by the parties and that all the hostages will finally be able to go home to hug their loved ones again."
"I pray so much for them, and their families. I also hope that humanitarian aid will even more quickly reach... the people of Gaza, who have so many urgent needs," the Pope stated.
He maintained that both Israelis and Palestinians "need clear signs of hope," adding that he hopes political authorities and the international community can achieve a "two-state solution".
"May everyone say yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace," he expressed.
It is worth noting that the ceasefire agreement between "Israel" and Hamas officially came into effect today, Sunday, at 8:30 am local time (6:30 a.m. GMT), raising hopes for an end to the 15-month-long Israeli offensive on Gaza.
The Israeli genocide has caused widespread devastation, leaving tens of thousands dead, injured, or missing and displacing millions of residents.
Trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza after the ceasefire agreement came into effect, the United Nations reported.
Egypt launches body to monitor Gaza ceasefire implementation
Egypt has pledged to work in coordination with Qatar and the US to uphold the newly agreed ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the full implementation of its terms. This includes establishing a joint operations room based in Egypt to oversee prisoner exchanges, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, and manage the movement of individuals through the reopened Rafah Crossing.
In a statement on Saturday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the success of diplomatic efforts led by Egypt since the outbreak of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, in collaboration with regional and international partners.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati has lately reaffirmed Egypt's ongoing commitment to delivering aid to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Under the terms of the ceasefire, 600 trucks of supplies, including 50 carrying fuel, will be allowed into Gaza daily. Northern Gaza, designated as a severely devastated area, will receive 300 trucks of humanitarian assistance each day.
During a press conference with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Abdel Aati emphasized the need for all parties to fulfill their commitments to sustain the ceasefire. He reiterated that the three guarantors—Egypt, Qatar, and the US—would spare no effort in ensuring compliance with the agreement. "Egypt has remained steadfast, exercising strategic patience and persistence to achieve this accord," he stated
