World leaders welcome ceasefire between Israel, Palestine

New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): Leaders from around the world on Thursday welcomed the news of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine which ended the more than 10-day conflict that caused destruction on both sides as thousands of rockets were fired between them.
Israeli security cabinet on Thursday unanimously adopted Egypt’s initiative for a bilateral unconditional ceasefire, which took effect at 23:00 GMT on Thursday. At least 217 Palestinians and 12 Israelis have died in the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine and called on all parties to observe it. “I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel after 11 days of deadly hostilities,” Guterres said on Thursday. “I call on all sides to observe the ceasefire.”
European Council President Charles Michel has also welcomed the ceasefire reached by Israel and the Gaza Strip-based Hamas Islamist group. “Welcome announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ending the 11-day conflict. Opportunity for peace and security for citizens must be seized,” Michel tweeted.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he spoke with leaders from both Israel and Palestine and welcomed his confirmation that the parties had agreed to a ceasefire.
“I spoke with @IsraelMFA @Gabi_Ashkenazi today and welcomed his confirmation that the parties had agreed to a ceasefire, mediated by Egypt,” Blinken tweeted. “I will be traveling to the region in the coming days and look forward to meeting the Foreign Minister and other Israeli, Palestinian, and regional leaders,” he added.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that all sides must work to make the ceasefire durable and end the unacceptable cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. “Welcome news of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. All sides must work to make the ceasefire durable and end the unacceptable cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. UK continues to support efforts to bring about peace.”

Canada welcomes the news of a potential ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians, but it is only the beginning, Canada’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bob Rae said on Thursday.
UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said he is ready to convene another special meeting on the Palestinian question if such action would be necessary.
“We will watch it – if the ceasefire is implemented or not,” Bozkir said on Thursday. “If necessary, and if it is found useful, I will convene another meeting on Palestine to keep the pressure, if necessary, on the parties.”
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly held an emergency meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Later in the day, the Israeli security cabinet unanimously adopted Egypt’s initiative for a bilateral unconditional ceasefire, which would take effect at 23:00 GMT on Thursday. Hamas has also confirmed its plans to abide by the truce, Sputnik reported.
The United States will provide rapid humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza after the conflict between Hamas and Israel, US President Joe Biden announced.
“We remain committed working with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and marshal international support for the people of Gaza and the Gaza reconstruction efforts,” Biden said.
The US president vowed to coordinate assistance with the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority and not Hamas, which de-facto rules Gaza. (ANI)

US to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome Air Defense Systems: Biden

Washington DC [US], May 21 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Thursday (local time) announced that Washington will replenish Israel‘s Iron Dome air defense systems that were depleted during the recent conflict with the Palestinian group in Gaza.
Israel has relied heavily on the Iron Dome batteries to intercept thousands of rockets fired on its territory from Gaza and other places.
“The Prime Minister [of Israel, Benyamin Netanyahu]… shared with me his appreciation for the Iron Dome system, which our nations developed together and which has saved lives of countless Israeli citizens, both Arabs and Jews. I assured him of my full support to replenish Israel‘s Iron Dome system to ensure its defenses and security in the future,” Biden said in a statement.
Biden’s remarks come after the Israeli security cabinet unanimously adopted Egypt’s initiative for a bilateral unconditional ceasefire, which would take effect at 23:00 GMT on Thursday. According to an official statement, the Israeli security cabinet unanimously adopted Egypt’s initiative for a bilateral ceasefire.
He also promised to provide rapid humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza after the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

“We remain committed working with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and marshal international support for the people of Gaza and the Gaza reconstruction efforts,” Biden said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine and called on all parties to observe it. “I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel after 11 days of deadly hostilities,” Guterres said on Thursday. “I call on all sides to observe the ceasefire.”
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday said that a new batch of rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel minutes before the ceasefire enters into force.
“More rockets are being fired at southern Israel from Gaza. An important reminder: 4,340+ rockets have been fired at Israel since last Monday by terrorists in Gaza,” the IDF tweeted.
Both sides have been firing rockets at each other, leading to 217 Palestinians and 12 Israelis dead. (ANI)