Kerry Praises Gaza Agreement, Hopes Cease-Fire is ‘Durable and Sustainable’
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Credit: US Department of State(WASHINGTON) — Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement on Tuesday offering strong support for a cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Kerry has worked with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as Egyptian leadership who hosted negotiations in an effort to bring calm to the region. He said Tuesday that he hopes the new cease-fire will be “durable and sustainable,” ending rocket and mortar strikes.
Kerry also called for increased delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza once “calm is restored.” He reiterated his eagerness to work with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on reconstruction and aid for the Gazan people. Meanwhile, he assured Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will continue to be engaged in long-term peace negotiations.
Kerry is “aware of the challenges ahead,” but remains optimistic that the two sides can come to an agreement that will bring the “future that the people on both sides deserve.”
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