BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for both sides to agree to the negotiated agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. “In these stormy times, nothing is 100 percent certain. However, it is absolutely clear that everyone responsible must now realize that if we want to reach a political, peaceful solution, then this is the deal that is on the table. And everyone has the responsibility to accept exactly this deal now,” said the Green politician in an interview with broadcasters RTL and ntv.
After months of indirect negotiations, mediators reached an agreement on Wednesday. The agreement between Israel and the Islamist Hamas provides for a multi-stage process that should lead to the cessation of fighting in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The ceasefire is due to come into force on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. CET. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet confirmed the agreement; the Israeli government still has to agree. Since details still remained open, negotiations continued on Thursday in the Qatari capital Doha./kli/DP/zb