Christodoulides endorses international joint statement on Gaza

President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday said he endorsed a joint statement on Gaza released by the leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani had on Thursday said, “it is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families.

“The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal,” they added.

They said that they and their teams have “worked tirelessly over many months” to forge a framework agreement for such a ceasefire, “with only the details of implementation left to conclude.

“There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay. It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement.

“As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner which meets the expectations of all parties,” they said.

They therefore called on all sides to attend a meeting in either Doha or Cairo on August 15 with the aim of “closing all remaining gaps and commencing the implementation of a deal without further delay”.

In his endorsement of the statement, Christodoulides said “an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages is now more critical than ever.

“As an integral partner of the region, Cyprus will continue to exert every effort and assist towards this end,” he added.