Hence, after the ceasefire takes effect, pressure must be maintained to hold negotiations soon to solve the fundamental issue.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of Palestine and Israel returning to the negotiation table to achieve eternal peace following the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza.

The minister made the statement at a closed-door meeting with several foreign ministers and President of the 75th UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir in New York following the debate session held by the world body to specifically discuss the situation in Palestine on Thursday.

“Hence, after the ceasefire takes effect, pressure must be maintained to hold negotiations soon to solve the fundamental issue,” Marsudi remarked during a virtual media briefing on Friday morning in Jakarta on Thursday night in New York.

Marsudi affirmed that her foreign counterparts, present at the meeting, also echoed the same views of pressure on Palestine and Israel as well as other relevant parties to address the key issue of ending the occupation to prevent any recurrence of violence in future.

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“On the occasion, I highlighted the importance of all countries present to use their influence to settle the fundamental issue of occupation,” she noted.

Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire on Thursday. The ceasefire came into force at 2 p.m. local time on Friday.

Both sides spoke of retaliating in the event of any of them violating the ceasefire. Egypt, which acts as a mediator, will assign two delegations to monitor the ceasefire.

Announcement of the ceasefire coincided with the general session of the UN General Assembly to discuss the situation in Palestine and the Middle East.

At the meeting, Marsudi called for an end to the violence and ceasefire, access to humanitarian aid deliveries and protection of civilians, and resumption of a credible multilateral negotiation process. Related news: Two-state solution ensures Palestinian independence: Indonesian President

Translator: Yashinta Difa P/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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