UN chief welcomes release of Israeli captives in Gaza

ANKARA (MNTV) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the release of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza and called on all sides to fully honor the ceasefire commitments aimed at ending the conflict.

“I very much welcome the release of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza,” Guterres said in a statement from Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, where he is attending the Gaza peace summit.

He expressed relief that those released “have regained their freedom and will soon be reunited with their loved ones after the immense suffering they have endured.”

The UN chief also reiterated his call for the return of the remains of those who died in captivity and urged both parties to “build on this momentum and to honor their commitments under the ceasefire to end the nightmare in Gaza.”

Guterres said the United Nations continues to support efforts to end the conflict and deliver humanitarian aid to civilians across the devastated enclave.

His comments come as the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, takes effect.

The agreement allows for humanitarian relief and prisoner exchanges after two years of war.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 67,800 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, leaving much of the territory in ruins.