‘No time to lose’: World leaders issue joint statement calling on Hamas to agree to hostage-ceasefire proposal
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The leaders of countries with citizens held in Gaza call on Hamas to agree to the Israeli proposal announced by US President Joe Biden on Friday.
“There is no time to lose,” say the world leaders in a statement. “We call on Hamas to close this agreement, that Israel is ready to move forward with, and begin the process of releasing our citizens.”
The statement notes that the proposal “would lead to an immediate ceasefire and rehabilitation of Gaza together with security assurances for Israelis, and Palestinians, and opportunities for a more enduring long-term peace and a two-state solution.”
“It is time for the war to end and this deal is the necessary starting point,” says the missive, signed by the leaders of the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
Earlier today, the Saudi Ashraq news outlet reported that Hamas had circulated a memo rejecting the offer, but Israel has yet to receive a formal response.
