Ukraine welcomes ceasefire deal, hostage release between Israel, Hamas

Published January 20,2025

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Ukraine on Monday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire settlement in Gaza and prisoner-hostage swap performed between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas a day earlier.

“We hope that the parties will be able to achieve in practice a sustainable end to the armed conflict, which has led to irreparable human losses and serious destruction of social and humanitarian infrastructure facilities,” the Foreign Ministry mentioned in an announcement.

Hamas launched three Israeli hostages, whereas Israel launched 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, because the ceasefire took impact.

The truce additionally allowed Palestinians to return to their properties, whereas reduction vehicles delivered much-needed assist.

Calling on the events involved to stick to the commitments undertaken as a part of the deal, the ministry mentioned Ukraine extremely appreciated mediation efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt.

It famous the significance of guaranteeing unimpeded entry to the Gaza Strip for related UN buildings and worldwide humanitarian organizations, expressing Kyiv’s readiness to proceed offering assist to these in want, significantly on the provision of meals.

“In the context of the prospects for wider normalization in the region, we proceed from the fact that the practical implementation of the principle of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only way to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace, as well as regional stability,” the assertion mentioned.

It added that the peace course of within the Middle East “must be restored through the parties’ unconditional implementation of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, as well as other previously reached international agreements.”

Nearly 47,000 individuals have been killed, largely ladies and kids, in Israel’s genocidal conflict on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, in keeping with native well being authorities. The conflict has left Gaza in ruins.

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X described the prisoner-hostage swap as a “deeply meaningful moment,” saying Kyiv hopes for “further progress toward security, stability, and normal life in the entire Middle East.”