Switzerland urges de-escalation across Middle East

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Switzerland has called on all parties to prioritize diplomacy to achieve de-escalation across the Middle East, including a cease-fire in Gaza.

"Switzerland urges all parties to respect international law and prioritise diplomacy to achieve de-escalation across the entire (Middle East) region," the Foreign Ministry said late Tuesday on X.

"A ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid are equally urgent," the ministry underlined.

Israel has launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 44,250 people, mostly women and children, since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, according to official figures.

The onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the enclave, and a blockade has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, pushing the population to the brink of starvation.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, a cease-fire deal between Israel and Lebanon took effect early Wednesday, hours after US President Joe Biden said a proposal to end the conflict had been finalized, amid hopes it would stop Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese towns and cities and end the year-long cross-border fighting.

Over 3,800 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.