I welcome today’s start to the implementation of the agreement reached on Wednesday (22 November) which saw the release of 13 Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas and others on 7 October, and the release of 39 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. I also welcome the release of a number of foreign workers held in Gaza. I look forward to additional releases expected over the coming days.

Today’s humanitarian pause went into effect with relative calm allowing truckloads of aid to go into Gaza.

These developments are a significant humanitarian breakthrough that we need to build on.

More assistance and supplies must enter the Strip safely and continuously to alleviate the immense suffering of civilians.

I reiterate my call for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others in Gaza.

I highly appreciate and commend the Governments of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States for their determined efforts to facilitate this agreement.

I call on all concerned parties to uphold their commitments and refrain from provocations or any actions that could impact the full implementation of this agreement.

I also urge the parties to exhaust every effort to achieve an extended humanitarian ceasefire and pursue a more peaceful future.