South Africa welcomes the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip reached between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas and believes that it can lay the foundation for a just peace in the region, the South African Foreign Ministry reported.
"South Africa calls for the implementation of a just and lasting peace that ensures the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis are protected and promoted," the ministry's statement said.
According to the ministry, the agreement was an important first step toward ending the dire humanitarian crisis facing 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and that "the ceasefire must lay the basis for a just peace, which should include the establishment of a contiguous, independent, and viable Palestinian state."
"Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld. It is imperative that no land is annexed in either Gaza or the West Bank following the ceasefire, and that illegal settlement expansion is halted," the ministry stated.
South Africa also insisted that Gaza urgently needs large-scale humanitarian aid, demanding all obstacles to its delivery be immediately removed, so civilians can freely access food, water, and medical care.
The agreement will enter into force on Sunday, January 19. During the first stage, which will last 42 days, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including female soldiers and civilians, as well as wounded civilians, children and the elderly, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. In addition, Israel will withdraw its troops to the borders of the Gaza Strip to a depth of 700 meters, Al Jazeera reported, citing a source. During the implementation of the first stage of the deal, the parties intend to agree on the details of the second and third stages of the agreement, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.