CANBERRA: Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese on Friday welcomed the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas and release of captives from Gaza.
In a post on social media he called for steps to be taken towards a sustainable ceasefire and long-term peace.
Australia welcomes the release of hostages and the pause in hostilities to allow humanitarian access to Gaza.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 24, 2023
Albanese said the release of captives and allowing humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip shows an important progress and Australia welcomes them.
Earlier US President Joe Biden said release of a first batch of captives taken by Hamas was just a “start” and that there were “real” chances to extend a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
A total of 24 captives — 13 Israelis, ten Thais and a Filipino — were turned over Friday to the ICRC in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, while Israel also released 39 women and minors held in its jails, the Qatari foreign ministry announced.
In Gaza, about 15,000 people including 6,150 children, have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas, officials in Gaza said.
READ ALSO: Hamas Releases 10 Thai Nationals, one Filipino Under Separate Agreement: Qatar
Meanwhile Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said during a visit to Rafah border crossing in Egypt that the current truce in Gaza is not enough and that a permanent cease-fire was required.
he Israeli air and ground strikes have also caused extensive damage to buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches.
The dire situation in Gaza is compounded by an Israeli blockade, severing the region from essential supplies such as fuel, electricity, and water. Aid deliveries to Gaza have reached to a minimum.
