UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for continued dedication to the Gaza ceasefire agreement, following the successful release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange took place on Saturday, marking a key moment in the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which began on January 19 and is set to conclude by March 1. Guterres emphasized the importance of adhering to international humanitarian and human rights laws as both parties work towards fulfilling the agreement’s terms.
The ceasefire deal, which spans three phases, aims to reduce hostilities gradually, beginning with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians, and an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries. Despite initial setbacks—including a threat from Hamas to delay the prisoner swap due to claims that Israel had violated the terms of the deal—the situation was resolved through Arab mediation.
The UN has played an active role in supporting the implementation of the deal, particularly in providing critical humanitarian aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has delivered shelter supplies to 644,000 individuals and expanded its food distribution, reaching 1.5 million people. As the ceasefire progresses, the international community is closely watching the negotiations for a permanent peace agreement.
