The United States of America welcomed the agreement for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Reports say with Egypt’s leadership to stop the bloodshed and preserving the stability of the conditions and security in the region, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to a ceasefire and the return of calm and a halt to the violence.
The ceasefire started at 9 p.m. Cairo time, Wednesday, 21st of November 2012.
In her remarks in Washington DC, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton thanked President Morsi for his personal leadership to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and end the violence.
“The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire in Gaza. For it to hold, the rocket attacks must end, a broader calm return.” – Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton reiterated the people of this region deserve the chance to live free from fear and violence, and the agreement is a step in the right direction that we should build on.
According to Ms Clinton, she has discussed with President Morsi how the United States and Egypt can work together to support the next steps in that process.
She said that in the days ahead, the United States will work with partners across the region to consolidate this progress, improve conditions for the people of Gaza, and provide security for the people of Israel.
“Ultimately, every step must move us toward a comprehensive peace for all the people of the region.” – Ms. Clinton
As she discussed with President Morsi, as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, there is no substitute for a just and lasting peace.
Gaza Ceasefire
Now that there is a ceasefire, Ms. Clinton said she is looking forward to working with the Foreign Ministers and others to move this process forward.
Reports say Egypt has conducted intensive discussions since the renewed outbreak of hostilities in the Gaza Strip with all parties: the Palestinian leadership, the various resistance factions, the Israelis, the international community, and the United States of America.
Earlier this week, Israel exchanged fire with Hamas for the first time in years, after assassinating Hamas’ military mastermind.
Hamas has been in full control of Gaza since launching a bloody coup against the Palestinian Authority’s rival Fatah group in June 2007.
Terrorists in Hamas-controlled Gaza have fired 108 rockets, mortars and missiles from Gaza into Israel since Israel ended its defensive operation from December 2008-Jan. 9 to root out rocket launchers and weapons storage facilities Gaza.
That marks a significant decrease from the 7,000 rockets, mortars and missiles fired from Gaza since Israel withdrew all of its citizens and forces from the area in August 2005. Israel carried out the 2005 operation in hopes of paving the way for an independent Palestinian state.
Earlier this week, as war raged between Israel and Palestine, the United States of America underlined its commitment to Israel’s security.
In her remarks after her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said US commitment to Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.
Ms. Clinton stressed that the rocket attacks from terrorist organizations inside Gaza on Israeli cities and towns must end and a broader calm be restored.
She said the goal must be a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security and legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
