Britain Urges Israeli Cabinet To Agree To Gaza's Armistice Agreement

JAKARTA - Britain's foreign minister on Thursday urged the Israeli cabinet to agree to a ceasefire agreement and release of hostages in Gaza, warning now is "not the time to step down."

In a statement before the House of Commons (British DPR), David Lemmy emphasized the importance of final approval of the deal.

"When the Israeli cabinet convenes, I urge them to support this agreement. Now is not the time to step down. Both sides must carry out every phase of this agreement in full and on time," he told lawmakers.

An Israeli cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday to ratify the ceasefire agreement for Gaza was postponed, as Israeli authority leader Benjamin Netanyahu faced opposition from its allies from the extreme right-wing.

Touching on the critical situation in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of Israeli attacks, the British Foreign Minister stated that Gazans had been "completely trapped in hell on earth."

While saying the history of the conflict was "full of missed chances," Lemmy said it would be a "tragedy" if the current opportunity was wasted.

"We must take advantage of this opportunity as well as possible, not only for a ceasefire but also for lasting peace," he added.

"Every hostage must be released as stipulated in the agreement. Any promised aid for Gaza must reach those in need," said Lemmy.

The British Foreign Minister said he had sent representatives of humanitarian affairs to the region to cooperate with aid agencies, Israeli governments, and other partners in realizing these promises.

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced on Wednesday (15/1) night that mediators had reached a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has killed more than 46.000 Palestinians, mostly women and children in Gaza since the cross-border Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others hostage.

The military attack also sparked a humanitarian disaster in the blockaded area.

As per the deal, a six-week ceasefire will take effect from Sunday (19/1).

In the first phase, Hamas will release 33 of the remaining 98 hostages, while the Israeli military will withdraw from the populated areas of the Gaza Strip and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing genocide lawsuits at the International Court over the war it wages in the region.