London: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza should act as a precursor to establishing an independent Palestinian state. He conveyed this message during his visit to the UK, highlighting the necessity of the cease-fire as a crucial step towards the formation of a sovereign Palestinian nation.

According to Anadolu Agency, Anwar expressed his views on X, stating, "This ceasefire must serve as a stepping stone towards the long-overdue goal of establishing a viable, sovereign, and independent Palestinian state." He acknowledged the importance of the cease-fire but also reminded the international community of the severe consequences, including the loss of tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and the displacement of over two million people. Anwar stressed the need for the truce to become permanent.

The announcement of the cease-fire was made by Qatar on Wednesday, marking an end to more than 15 months of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Since October 7, 2023, these attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 people and have devastated the region, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani outlined the three-phase deal, which is set to commence on Sunday. The agreement includes provisions for a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, with the ultimate goal of achieving a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

In a related development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants were for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.