Bulgaria and 17 other countries called on Hamas to immediately release the hostages

Bulgaria and 17 other countries called on Hamas to release sick, elderly and wounded hostages as a way to end the crisis in Gaza, reports “Reuters”.

“We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for more than 200 days,” the parties said in a statement, which a senior US official called an extraordinary display of unanimity.

All 18 countries have citizens held by Hamas. six months after the Palestinian militant group launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people.

The declaration was signed by the leaders of USA, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and Great Britain.

“We stress that the deal on the table for the release of the hostages will lead to an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, which will facilitate the flow of additional much-needed humanitarian aid to be delivered throughout Gaza and lead to a credible end to hostilities“, the document says.

A senior U.S. official said there were some signs there might be a way to a deal on the hostage crisis, but he wasn’t entirely confident.

He did not give details, but specified that the decision depends on “one man” – the leader of “Hamas” Yahya Sinwar.