Slovenia: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday expressed gratitude to Trkiye, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar for their collaborative efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, describing it as a significant development. Responding to Mevlut Cavusoglu, head of the Turkish delegation at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Rutte highlighted Ankara's pivotal role in brokering the truce that commenced last Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rutte conveyed his appreciation, stating, "I want to thank you. And through you, Trkiye, but also of course the US, Egypt, and Qatar, for the fact that the ceasefire is now taking place." He acknowledged the diligent work of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his team alongside the US, Egypt, and Qatar. Rutte emphasized that this ceasefire represents an important step that could potentially motivate Europe and the US to intensify efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Rutte also remarked on NATO's cautious approach to the Gaza conflict due to the diverse opinions among member nations. He pointed out that NATO's primary focus lies in the Euro-Atlantic area, yet developments in Gaza are being closely monitored because of their implications for NATO's mission in Iraq, where Trkiye plays a crucial role in assisting Iraqis in building security and defense forces.

The ceasefire comes after an announcement last week by Trump, detailing an agreement between Israel and Hamas on the initial phase of a plan intended to release all Israeli captives in return for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and initiate a gradual retreat of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The first phase of this plan was implemented on Friday.

The subsequent phase outlines the establishment of a new governance structure in Gaza, excluding Hamas, the creation of a multinational force, and the disarmament of Hamas.