The Arab Council received with great happiness and relief the news of the ceasefire agreement reached yesterday after 466 days of genocidal warfare against our steadfast people in Gaza. This announcement, which comes after prolonged suffering and horrific crimes against innocent civilians, is a step towards stopping the bloodshed, but it does not represent the final goal.

At the Arab Council, after praying for the souls of Gaza’s martyrs, we congratulate our brave people in that blessed land for their heroic steadfastness in the face of the machinery of war and destruction. This resilience is a living testament to the indomitable will of the Palestinian people, which will remain a beacon for freedom-loving individuals everywhere.

However, we emphasize that the ceasefire alone is not enough. True justice demands accountability for those responsible for the crimes committed against civilians in Gaza. There must be fair trials to ensure that the perpetrators are not granted impunity, in accordance with international law and human rights conventions.

We also renew our call to the international community to assume its responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people and ending the occupation, which is the root cause of the suffering of our people in Palestine. We urge all countries in the region and around the world to immediately begin efforts to rebuild Gaza and enable the citizens who have lost everything to live with dignity after suffering unlike anything the world has witnessed in decades.

Finally, we extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to reaching this agreement, which our nation and all free will around the world have been waiting for over a year. We especially commend the decisive role played by Qatar, which resulted in an agreement ensuring the rights and dignity of the resilient people of Gaza.

On behalf of the Arab Council
President Moncef Marzouki