Israel-Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, UN Secretary-General: Gaza Is An Integral Part Of Palestine

Sekjen PBB Antonio Guterres. (UN Photo/Evan Schneider)

JAKARTA - Israel and Hamas militants agreed to a ceasefire, after 11 days of war that left hundreds dead and thousands more injured.

The peace deal between the two sides was appreciated by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while expressing condolences to all victims of violence.

"I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities. I also extend my deepest condolences to all the victims of violence and their loved ones, throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories", Antonio Guterres said news.un.org.

Guterres said that it was important for the broader international community to work with the United Nations, develop an integrated and robust package of support for rapid and sustainable reconstruction and recovery to support the Palestinian people.

"I commend Egypt and Qatar for the efforts made, in close coordination with the UN, to help restore calm in Gaza and Israel", he said while calling on all parties to observe the ceasefire.

Guterres stressed that leaders in Palestine and Israel have a responsibility to maintain the restoration of calm, to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.

According to the latest news reports, at least 232 Palestinians, including more than 60 children have been killed since violence erupted on Israel's Gaza-southern border on Monday. At least 12 people were killed in Israel, when Hamas and other extremist groups fired indiscriminate rocket fire, sometimes deep into Israeli territory.

"Gaza is an integral part of the future State of Palestine. No effort should be made to realize a real national reconciliation that ends the split", he said.

Guterres underlined the U.N.'s deep commitment to working with Israel, the Palestinians, and with all international and regional partners, including through the Middle East Quartet to get back on track.

"Ending the occupation and enabling the realization, a two-state solution based on the 1967 line, UN resolutions, international law, and mutual agreement. The next step, stabilization of the ceasefire", he concluded.