UK hails Gaza truce, calls for further political efforts

LONDON, Aug 1 (KUNA) -- The British Government has praised declaration of a 72-hour unconditional cease-fire in Gaza and called for greater efforts to pave way for substantial talks among the warring parties to resolve the conflict.
An official statement quoted Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond as hailing the unconditional humanitarian truce, announced late on Thursday, saying, "I welcome the news of an agreement of a ceasefire to halt the violence we have seen. This is an achievement we have all been working tirelessly for, with visits around the region and talks in Paris last weekend." He applauds the efforts that have been exerted by the US Secretary of State John Kerry and "partners such as Egypt who should be congratulated for all they have done to bring an end to this humanitarian crisis.
"We should now redouble our efforts and leave no stone unturned, to ensure this is a lasting and durable ceasefire to make way for substantial discussions to resolve the underlying issues on both sides." A statement announcing the three-day humanitarian ceasefire was released in New Delhi where Kerry was meeting Indian officials. A joint statement by America and the UN said they had received assurances that all parties to the conflict had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire during which there would be negotiations on a more durable truce A few hours before the truce went into effect at approximately 8:00 a.m. (Gaza local time), Israeli warplanes carried out further raids on the enclave, claiming more victims, as Palestinian gunners in the strip launched a barrage of rockets on Israel. Medical sources in Gaza put the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli offensive that started 25 days ago at 1,422 people. Many of the dead were children hiding at UN buildings in Gaza.
Israel has subjected the densely-populated strip to intensive attacks from the ground, the sea and the air, and the Palestinians have fought back with ground engagements and launch of rocket salvos on Israeli cities and towns. Tel Aviv says it will not stop the attack on Gaza until demolishing underground tunnels used by the militants for smuggling and carrying out attacks. (end) mrn.rk