Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney welcomes ceasefire as Israel and Hamas agree deal

Scotland’s First Minister has welcomed the Gaza ceasefire, saying he hopes this is the beginning of a “long term political solution” in the Middle East.

Multiple officials announced on Wednesday, after weeks of negotiations in Qatar, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

It promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and would allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes.

Al Jazeera reports that the deal will take effect on Sunday, January 19.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said while he “welcomed” the ceasefire, there is still “significant work required to ensure peace”.

He said: “Since the outset of this conflict, the Scottish Government has called for urgent de-escalation, an immediate ceasefire by all sides and the release of hostages.

“We join the international community in welcoming the agreement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and hope that this can be the beginning of a long term political solution in the Middle East.

“There is, however, still significant work required to ensure peace and security across the region.”

Sir Keir Starmer also welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal as “long-overdue news” and paid tribute to “the British people who were murdered by Hamas”.

At least a dozen British citizens and some 1,200 Israelis were killed the surprise Hamas cross-border attack on October 7 2023 which triggered months of fighting.

Israel responded with a fierce offensive that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population and sparked a humanitarian crisis.

The UK Prime Minister said Britain would join its allies in continuing work to “break the cycle of violence and secure long-term peace in the Middle East.”

In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister said: “After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for.

“They have borne the brunt of this conflict – triggered by the brutal terrorists of Hamas, who committed the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7 2023.

“The hostages, who were brutally ripped from their homes on that day and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since, can now finally return to their families. But we should also use this moment to pay tribute to those who won’t make it home – including the British people who were murdered by Hamas. We will continue to mourn and remember them.

“For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza.

“And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people – grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.

“The UK and its allies will continue to be at the forefront of these crucial efforts to break the cycle of violence and secure long-term peace in the Middle East.”