The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania welcomes an agreement on an open-ended ceasefire in the Gaza Strip announced on 26 August. Hopefully, all parties involved will abide by the terms of the agreement that will give impetus to further political process as the only way to achieving lasting peace.
The open-ended ceasefire agreement should lead to an immediate halt to rocket attacks and other attacks by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza against Israel. The Palestinian Authority should exercise its full government responsibilities in Gaza and establish its effective governance. Israel should lift Gaza closure regime, which would lead to the fundamental improvement in the living conditions for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as well as to the economic development of Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry commends the efforts by the Egyptian government to broker this deal. Lithuania is ready to support the possible international mechanism endorsed by the UN Security Council.