Brazil welcomes ceasefire in Gaza and reaffirms defense of Palestinian state

The Brazilian government welcomed this Thursday (9) the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after two years of war. In an official note, Itamaraty stated that the measure represents the first phase of a plan to end the conflict and highlighted the role of the United States and the mediating countries — Qatar, Egypt and Turkey — in the negotiation.

According to the statement, the implementation of the agreement should stop the Israeli attacks that caused more than 67 thousand deaths, in addition to the displacement of almost two million people and the destruction of a large part of the territory’s civil infrastructure.

The Brazilian government stressed that the measure should guarantee the release of hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The text emphasizes the “humanitarian dimension of the agreement” and argues that the ceasefire produces “effective relief for the civilian population”. Brazil also called for full and safe access to international assistance and full compliance with the terms of the agreement by the parties involved to be ensured.

Itamaraty also reiterated the need for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip under Palestinian coordination.

The note reaffirms the conviction that lasting peace in the Middle East depends on the creation of an independent, viable Palestinian State within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.