Thursday January 16, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has
on Thursday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement, praising the mediation
efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in securing the deal. 

President Mohamud urged international and regional actors to
reinforce the ceasefire and expedite humanitarian aid to Gaza to address the
worsening humanitarian crisis. He reiterated Somalia’s support for peace and
called for a lasting solution based on a two-state framework, establishing an
independent Palestinian state. 

The announcement follows statements by U.S. Secretary of
State Antony Blinken and Qatari officials, who confirmed progress in the
ceasefire talks after months of deadlock. 

“I believe we will get a ceasefire,”
Blinken stated in Washington, while emphasizing the need for Hamas to finalize
its agreement. 

Despite the ceasefire, violence has continued. Israeli
forces have reportedly killed at least 82 people in Gaza, including 30 in Gaza
City, within hours of the ceasefire announcement, according to medical sources
cited by Al Jazeera.