Denmark welcomes humanitarian pause deal, calls for protection of children, sick, injured in Gaza

By Ebad Ahmed

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AA) – Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday welcomed a humanitarian pause deal in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, saying it was much needed to protect children, the sick, and the injured.

Frederiksen called the developments "important news" that could lead to a long-term cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing her statement.

The premier reiterated that her country remains committed to a two-state solution for long-term peace in the Middle Eastern country.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Qatar-mediated agreement was reached between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas for a four-day humanitarian pause in fighting and a hostage swap. Fifty Israelis detained by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails.

The agreement also includes the entry of 300 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including fuel, into Gaza.

"It's so we can protect the children, and so the sick and injured can get the treatment they desperately need. The situation in Gaza is terrible and completely heartbreaking, and it is crucial that emergency aid arrives," the Danish premier was quoted as saying by the media outlet.

Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a surprise attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

The number of people killed in Israeli air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since then has risen to 14,532, including over 6,000 children and 4,000 women, the media office in the besieged enclave said Wednesday.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.