The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has welcomed the move by Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and end the two-year conflict that had led to significant death and destruction.
In a post released on Thursday, October 9, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei challenged Israel and Hamas to commit to long-lasting peace and adhere to the two-state solution provided for by the United Nations.
“We join the world in welcoming the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, a vital step in easing human suffering in Gaza,” he noted.
“We urge all parties to build on this important breakthrough towards a lasting peace, anchored on the two-state solution as outlined in UN resolutions,” Sing’oei added.
In his message, Sing’oei also lauded the efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey in brokering the peace deal.
Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for the Palestinian enclave, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could open the way to ending a two-year-old war that disrupted the Middle East.
In the ceasefire arrangement, the two feuding nations agreed to terms for the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian militants in Gaza, with Israel also releasing almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and withdrawing troops to an agreed-upon line.
Captives held by Hamas should be released within 72 hours of the Israeli government’s approval of the deal. Israeli officials indicated the process could be expected to start on Saturday.
The new development, part of a broader 20-point plan by Trump, also proposed the creation of an international body, the Board of Peace, to oversee Gaza’s post-war administration. Trump will chair the board, which will include other world leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
If the agreement holds, it would mark a major step toward ending the conflict that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking a crisis in the Middle East.
The initial attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis, but since then, attacks from Israel have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 67,000 people.
Back in 2024, President William Ruto pleaded with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to embrace ceasefire proposals, urging them to embrace the plan by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to quell the conflict between the two nations.
"Given the astronomical human suffering that this conflict has inflicted, I implore Israeli and Palestinian leadership, and all parties of goodwill, to support this plan," he stated.
The Head of State emphasised that the plan, if followed, would lead to a permanent ceasefire and implementation of a two-state solution.
