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Capitals welcomes Gaza cease-fire

CAPITALS, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- The UK has welcomed the indefinite cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians that was conducted through Egyptian mediators Tuesday evening.
Minister for Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood said in a press statement, Wednesday, that the truce provides a needed opportunity to finalize a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Gaza.
The truce should push Hamas and other Palestinians factions to halt their offensive against Israel and to bring Gaza Strip under the control of the Palestinian authority if they wanted to establish a responsible and efficient government, he urged.
Tobias also pointed out that Israel should end siege in Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and allow their economy to flourish.
Negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians would not be easy, hence, international community shoud step in to help disputed parties to reach a final deal, he added.
Along with the UK and France, Germany will strive to make this truce a definite matter by seeking to enforce it by a UN resolution.
German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement that the "the truce might be able to end the two-sided aggression and bring peace after 50 days of unrest." In Italy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said that the cease-fire that was declared yesterday would open a path to political negotiations,thus, ending conflict in the Middle East region. The Turkish government also welcomed the deal and hoped it would be "a permanent" one. (end) kt.nfm