Gaza ceasefire latest: ‘Shocked’ Palestinians return to their homes as rescue workers ‘ramp up’ aid deliveries
The search for thousands of people buried under rubble has started as the ceasefire in Gaza enters its second day
The Spanish government has welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will allow for an increase in aid to the strip. The Spanish foreign ministry said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) is essential and irreplicable" to the delivery of humanitarian relief in the territory.
Israel's government is still committed to its plan to ban Unrwa from operating and to cut all ties between the agency and the Israeli government. It has accused the UN agency of allowing Hamas militants to infiltrate its staff, an allegation the agency denies. Unrwa is the major distributor of aid in Gaza and provides education, health and other basic services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
It is essential that negotiations between the parties resume immediately in order to move on to the successive phases of the agreement.
Spain will support stabilisation efforts in Gaza, which will only be viable if the Palestinian Authority assumes its governing responsibilities in all Palestinian territories, re-establishes security and basic services and prepares the reconstruction of Gaza.
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