Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has welcomed the UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and called on Israel to accept the plan.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Rutte said the entire world “now expects Israel to accept what they themselves proposed,” and immediately halt its military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Rutte stressed that the ceasefire plan presented by the US in fact came from Israel itself, although Israeli leaders have not publicly supported it so far.
“I would say it’s more of an Israeli cease-fire proposal than an American one. Sometimes the Israelis are not entirely sure what they proposed, but I think in the end, it’s their proposal, which makes it even better,” Rutte said.
“I was also very happy to learn that Hamas has reacted very positively […] to the UN Security Council resolution. For us now, it’s crucial to have a full cease-fire as soon as possible.”
Rutte said his message to the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to follow through on their own proposal.