JOINT STATEMENT CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES IN GAZA

The leaders of 18 countries including the UK and US have called on Hamas to release the hostages it is holding in Gaza, saying the move would lead to an “immediate and prolonged” ceasefire. The statement released yesterday represents a new joint effort to increase pressure on Hamas and rekindle stalled negotiations with Israel over an agreement to free the captives.

Joint Statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United States, calling for the release of the hostages held in Gaza:

We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for over 200 days. They include our own citizens.  The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza, who are protected under international law, is of international concern.

We emphasize that the deal on the table to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, that would facilitate a surge of additional necessary humanitarian assistance to be delivered throughout Gaza, and lead to the credible end of hostilities. Gazans would be able to return to their homes and their lands with preparations beforehand to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions.

We strongly support the ongoing mediation efforts in order to bring our people home.  We reiterate our call on Hamas to release the hostages, and let us end this crisis so that collectively we can focus our efforts on bringing peace and stability to the region.