Secretary General Alain Berset of the Council of Europe has issued the following statement regarding the agreement between Israel and Hamas:
"I welcome the agreement towards a ceasefire reached today between Israel and Hamas.
"For the first time in two years, a path to peace is opening. The human cost, especially to civilians, has been enormous. These actions constitute unjustifiable violations of universal human rights and international law. The Council of Europe expresses its deep solidarity with all victims of this conflict.
"A ceasefire will allow respite for shattered communities. In that light, it is important that all sides reject extremism and violence and work with each other and with the international community to build trust and restore the rule of law.
"I commend the efforts of President Donald Trump, Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar in advancing this process. This opportunity should not be missed, and I hope that all parties in the region will spare no efforts in implementing this peace plan.
"The Council of Europe reaffirms that the protection of human dignity and strengthening of democratic security must be central as this process moves forward. Furthermore, for a rules-based international order to be credible, international law must be respected by all, without double standards.
"As a majority of our member states have shown, it is now time to push for the implementation of a two-state solution, which remains the only viable path toward a just and lasting peace and the only credible basis for peaceful coexistence based on human dignity and respect for international law."
