Nigerian Gov’t Hails Gaza Ceasefire Pact As Thousands Of Palestinians Return Home

The Federal Government of Nigeria has welcomed the agreement of a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas leading to the release of three Israeli hostages on Sunday and the return of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, in Abuja.

The statement said; “The agreement offers the prospect of an end to the appalling loss of civilian life and human tragedy witnessed across Gaza over the last 15 months, as well as relief to the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and some of the Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. Nigeria also welcomes the supply of much needed aid and relief materials that the peace deal facilitates.

“The ceasefire agreement presents the people of the region with an opportunity for hope and compassion. The Federal Government praises the Arabic Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar and the United States of America for their painstaking work during the negotiations that delivered the ceasefire agreement, and for which they will now act as international guarantors.

“Nigeria urges all stakeholders to build on the new momentum and work towards the successful implementation of the second and third phases of the agreement, and re-affirms support for a two-state solution as the blueprint for a just and lasting peace for Palestine, Israel and the entire region.”

Three female Israeli hostages held by Hamas for 15 months were released and brought back to Israel, as the long-awaited ceasefire deal took effect on Sunday.

Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31 and Emily Damari, 28, who is also a British citizen, were freed in exchange for 95 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails in a deal that could end the 15-month war Israel has been waging against Hamas in Gaza.

The three-phase deal was brokered last week by the US, Egypt and Qatar, which the Qatari foreign ministry spokesman described as the “last chance for peace”.

The first phase lasting six weeks would see a total of 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas exchanged for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians have continued to return to their homes where they were displaced by the war against Hamas being waged by Israel.

Recall that Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages. The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,900 Palestinians were killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.