LONDON: The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy following theIsrael-Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Doha, have issued a joint statement supporting the ongoing mediation efforts and urged "all parties to continue to engage positively and flexibly in this process".
On Friday,the US, Qatar and Egypt in a joint statement stated that they had presented a proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal that "narrows the gaps” between Israel and Hamas.
Saturday's joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy read as follows:
"We, the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy, strongly support the ongoing mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages and are encouraged by the constructive approach adopted so far.
"We welcome the fact that technical work will continue over the coming days, including on both the humanitarian provisions and the specific arrangements relating to hostages and detainees, and that senior officials will then reconvene before the end of next week with the aim of concluding the agreement.
"We urge all parties to continue to engage positively and flexibly in this process. We underline the importance of avoiding any escalatory action in the region which would undermine the prospect of peace. There is too much at stake."