JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan 16: The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, welcomed the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip announced on Thursday. In a press statement, Taha expressed hope that this agreement would lead to a permanent and comprehensive halt to the Israeli occupation’s aggression, facilitate the return of displaced individuals to their homes, and ensure the withdrawal of occupation forces from the area. He also emphasized the need for the provision of adequate and unhindered humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.

Taha called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities and implement relevant United Nations resolutions concerning the Palestinian issue. He stressed that these actions should aim to bring an end to the Israeli occupation and allow the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights, including the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

The announcement follows the success of Qatari-Egyptian-US mediation, which was revealed by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Wednesday. The mediation led to an agreement on the exchange of prisoners and the return to sustainable calm, paving the way for a permanent ceasefire. The agreement also includes the delivery of large quantities of humanitarian and relief aid to the people of Gaza.