UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel after 11 days of conflagration in which 232 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed and said leaders of both the sides leaders a responsibility beyond the restoration of calm, to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce on Thursday, ending the 11 days of deadly hostilities.
“I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities,” Mr Guterres said, extending his deepest condolences to all the victims of the violence, and their loved ones.
According to latest news reports, at least 232 Palestinians, including more than 60 children have been killed since violence erupted.
“I commend Egypt and Qatar for the efforts carried out, in close coordination with the UN, to help restore calm to Gaza and Israel,” the UN official website quoted its chief as saying.
On being asked what he thought the next step should be, he said that stabilizing the ceasefire was the immediate priority.
