Davey: Israel-Gaza ceasefire must lead to a lasting peace and two-state solution

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Responding to the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, said:

"The announcement of a ceasefire is, at last, a moment of hope after many months of darkness and despair for the region. 

"As this ceasefire comes into effect, Palestinians will hope that the killing will now stop. Israeli hostages will finally be returned to their loved ones again after being held in captivity for fifteen months. The work of flooding Gaza with the aid which it has desperately needed for months must begin in earnest. 

"Now, it is incumbent on the UK and the entire international community to do all it can to ensure that this ceasefire does not turn out to be a temporary truce. Otherwise we will not be able to get the remaining hostages home and finally alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

"We must look back on this moment as the first step on the road to a lasting peace. That two-state solution - with a recognised Palestinian state based on 1967 borders - is the only way to deliver the dignity and security which Israelis and Palestinians deserve."

ENDS