EU, Belgium welcome Israel-Hamas agreement on humanitarian pause, prisoner swap

EU Commission president thanks those who 'have worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels to broker this agreement'

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The president of the EU Commission welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a humanitarian pause in Gaza.

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas earlier announced a truce-for-hostage deal and a humanitarian pause, which is expected to be implemented on Thursday or Friday, according to Israeli Channel 12.

"I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on the release of the 50 hostages and on a pause in hostilities," Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

She also expressed "gratefulness" to those who "have worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels in recent weeks to broker this agreement."

"The European Commission will do its utmost to use this pause for a humanitarian surge to Gaza. I have asked Commissioner Janez Lenarcic to upscale further shipments to Gaza as quickly as possible to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," Von der Leyen noted.

EU Council President Charles Michel shared a post on X to "welcome the agreement on the release of women and children held hostage in Gaza."

He thanked Qatar and Egypt for their efforts to reach the agreement and added: "It is also crucial to use this pause in hostilities to allow for maximum humanitarian relief to reach those in need."

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib also wrote on X that her country welcomed the agreement.

"This is a crucial first step that needs to be followed by further actions in compliance with international law. The pause should ensure that sustained humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza," she stressed.

Under the Qatar-mediated agreement, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

The deal also includes a four-day pause in fighting and the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip.

The agreement also allows an extension of the pause and the potential release of more children and women held by the two sides.

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