Gazans have urged for an immediate implementation of a ceasefire in the war-torn enclave as mediators said Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan paving way to a ceasefire.
Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV reported Thursday that the mediators in the Israel-Hamas talks said that an agreement covering all provisions and implementation mechanisms related to the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached and a final draft of the agreement is underway.
The deal is expected to lead to an end to the two-year-old war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, "with further details to be announced later," said the report.
The announcement came following three days of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt's resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to negotiate the Trump-proposed peace plan.
Also on Thursday, Hamas confirmed that it has reached an agreement with other Palestinian factions to end the war in Gaza, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and carry out a prisoner exchange with Israel.
Prior to the announcement, residents in the Gaza Strip expressed their hope for a long-anticipated end to the destruction and a return to peace.
"Gaza has been destroyed. This time, we truly hope the war will end completely," said Jalal Al-Ajla, a resident of Gaza.
"We hope things will move toward a good direction and that peace will finally come," said Mahmoud Hamouda, another resident of Gaza.
"We hope everything will develop toward a good direction, and a solution is found that protects the people," said Abu Al-Amir Daoud, still another resident of Gaza.
Since Oct 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 170,000 others, causing massive destruction to infrastructure and worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Gazans call for immediate implementation of ceasefire deal
Gazans call for immediate implementation of ceasefire deal
The China-Cambodia-Thailand foreign ministers' meeting was held in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Monday.
After the trilateral meeting, a press communique was issued, which made it clear from five aspects that Cambodia and Thailand will further enhance communication, deepen understanding, and gradually consolidate the ceasefire situation, restore mutual exchanges, rebuild political mutual trust, achieve a turnaround in relations, and maintain regional peace.
Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that upholding the spirit of the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, China has actively mediated between Cambodia and Thailand since the outbreak of their border conflict.
Chinese leaders have maintained friendly communication with Cambodian and Thai leaders, with multiple phone calls made among foreign ministers, and the Chinese special envoy has made four shuttle-diplomacy trips to Cambodia and Thailand, heeding views from both sides and learning about their respective legitimate concerns, and working to find a way to resolve differences through dialog and negotiation.
With the concerted efforts of all parties, the Cambodian and Thai armies reached a ceasefire agreement a few days ago, which is gratifying to China, Wang said.
Wang noted that it was just time to hold the trilateral meeting, which followed several bilateral meetings, especially the in-depth face-to-face exchanges between the foreign and defense ministries of Cambodia and Thailand, during which both sides demonstrated positive and open attitude, their commitment to de-escalating tensions, and their willingness to improve bilateral relations on the basis of a ceasefire.
The trilateral discussions were beneficial and constructive, with important consensus reached, Wang said.
The three sides have agreed that Cambodia and Thailand should look forward and move forward together and avoid the resumption of fighting; should maintain communication in implementing the ceasefire agreement, and remain confident and engage in equal dialog to gradually advance bilateral relations; and should rebuild mutual trust, Wang said.
Noting Cambodia and Thailand are eternal neighbors with a long history of friendly exchanges, Wang expressed hope that the trilateral meeting could heal the wounds caused by the conflict, remove the estrangement between the two countries, and truly achieve reconciliation, which meets the interests of the Cambodian and Thai people, as well as the common wish of all parties.
China will always be a promoter of the development of Cambodia-Thailand relations, Wang said, pledging all necessary assistance and support in ceasefire monitoring, humanitarian assistance, and demining cooperation.
China looks forward to and believes that Cambodia-Thailand relations will return to the right track at an early date, Wang said.
Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers thanked China for providing the dialog platform, expressing high appreciation for China's constructive role in resolving the conflict, easing tensions, and promoting dialog.
Both sides emphasized the preciousness of peace and expressed their willingness to actively implement the ceasefire agreement, make good use of dialog mechanisms at all levels, jointly manage and resolve disputes, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas between the two countries.
China-Cambodia-Thailand foreign ministers' meeting held in Yunnan
