Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola held a phone call with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar as the ceasefire agreement neared implementation.
Metsola, in a post on X, said,
“Good phone call with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar as the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire comes into effect in the next hours.
This must be the first step towards lasting peace, security and stability in the region.”
How did Metsola describe the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement?
Earlier, Metsola described the announcement of the ceasefire and the agreement to release hostages as
“the breakthrough the world has waited for.”
She stressed that this development is crucial, especially at a time when violence and humanitarian crises are unfolding in Gaza and Israel. She said that the ceasefire must be a
“stepping stone to lasting stability, peace, rebuilding, and getting services back up and running.”
This means that she would like the ceasefire to not only end hostilities but also start the process of recovery in areas affected by conflict.
The truce between Israel and Hamas is expected to come into force on January 19, 2025, at 08:30 AM local time (06:30 GMT), as the Israeli cabinet approved it in the early hours on January 18 after long negotiations. It envisages the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees inside the Israeli prisons and brings an end to hostilities that have lasted for over 460 days.
The first phase will be releasing 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The agreement will also enable more humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Israeli troops will gradually withdraw from several regions in Gaza.
Good phone call with Israel’s Foreign Minister @gidonsaar, as the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire comes into effect in the next hours.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) January 18, 2025
This must be the first step towards lasting peace, security and stability in the region. pic.twitter.com/mT2Bg552h2
