Dutch PM applauds Israel-Hamas ceasefire as "major breakthrough"

Politicians in the Netherlands have responded with relief and joy to news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Prime Minister Dick Schoof called it “a major breakthrough that I applaud enormously.” Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp spoke of “good news.” And various parliamentarians are relieved that there is “finally” a ceasefire agreement.

The deal initially consists of a six-week ceasefire. Hamas will release Israeli hostages, and in return, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons. The ceasefire starts on Sunday. Israel continued carrying out air strikes on Gaza overnight after the deal was announced, NOS reported.

Schoof called on both parties to adhere to the agreements “so that much more crucial humanitarian aid can reach the suffering population of Gaza and the hostages can finally be reunited with their loved ones.”

According to the Prime Minister, this agreement would not have been reached without the efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. “This deal is an important step towards de-escalation in the Middle East and lasting peace.”

The Prime Minister said that the Netherlands also worked hard for a ceasefire. “We can also do everything in our power to ensure that humanitarian aid can reach Gaza and will ensure that the resources required for this are provided,” Schoof said to journalists.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope to RTL Nieuws that the agreement “will also remove the polarization and tension in Dutch society, at least when it comes to the conflict in Gaza.”

Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs spoke on X of “good news about a ceasefire in Gaza,” also stressing that the Netherlands has advocated for an agreement for some time. “Let this be a first step towards sustainable and lasting peace,” is the Minister’s hope.

“It is now of great importance that the deal holds and that the violence stops so that the Israeli hostages can return home safely and the people in Gaza receive the humanitarian aid they urgently need,” according to Veldkamp. He thanked the United States, Egypt, and Qatar for their mediation work.

Minister Reinette Klever for Foreign Trade and Development Aid also believes it is “vital” that the ceasefire holds so that aid organizations can enter Gaza and the hostages can go home.

Parliamentarians are also relieved. “Now that the guns have fallen silent, the hostages can be released, and humanitarian aid can reach Gaza,” GroenLinks PvdA leader Frans Timmermans wrote on X.

“We pray this agreement will hold!” said ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker.

“Let us hope that this means that the hostages will be released and that an end will come to the many innocent victims in Gaza,” said VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz. NSC MP Isa Kahraman also expressed this hope and reported being “overjoyed” about the agreement.

“This agreement is an important step and gives hope,” said SGP leader Chris Stoffer.

Stephan van Baarle of DENK also welcomes the agreement but remains critical. “We will not forget the Israeli crimes. The perpetrators must be prosecuted.”

Rob Jetten is not entirely positive either. The D66 leader speaks of “a small ray of hope” in a post on X. “Too many innocent lives have been lost, families torn apart, and communities destroyed. We are still a long way off until Palestinians and Israelis can get their lives back on track.”

Jimmy Dijk (SP) responded with an appeal. “Release the hostages. Start humanitarian aid. And work towards lasting peace.”

As of 8:27 p.m. on January 15 local time, Israeli attacks have killed at least 46,707 people in Gaza, including 17,492 children. Over 109,660 people are injured and more than 11,160 are missing, Al Jazeera reported based on figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Hamas killed 1,139 people and injured at least 8,730 others in the terrorist attacks on Israel that sparked this slaughter on October 7, 2023.