President Of The International Red Cross Emphasizes The Importance Of Ceasefire In The Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric stressed that the ceasefire agreement had saved many lives and offered a glimmer of hope amidst inconceivable suffering.

"Any failure of the forward momentum created over the past six weeks risks putting people back into despair," he said in a statement, quoted from WAFA March 3.

Furthermore, it is said, the ICRC safely facilitates the repatriation of hostages and detainees under a ceasefire agreement and continues to be prepared to do so.

"These efforts have reunited families and ensure that loved ones can be buried with dignity," he explained.

"Sunday after week, as a neutral humanitarian intermediary, our team helped advance the ceasefire agreement by carrying out these important operations safely at the request of the parties," he continued.

"We never waver in our commitment to this work, though, because life and family depend on it," he added.

It is known that a gradual ceasefire between the Palestinian militant group and Israel, which took effect from January 19, ended on March 1.

In the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas handed over 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais who were repatriated in unscheduled release, in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and prisoners from Israeli prisons and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from several positions in Gaza.

Under the initial agreement, the second phase is meant to begin negotiations over the release of the remaining 59 hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the end of the war.

However, the second phase of negotiations has not yet begun, while Israel's desire to extend the first phase has been rejected by Hamas. That caused Israel on Sunday to stop the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Spoljaric stressed that all efforts must be made to maintain a ceasefire so that lives are protected from hostility, humanitarian aid to Gaza and more families can reunite.