Pakistan PM: Gaza Ceasefire Has 'Saved Millions of Lives'

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the implementation of a ceasefire in Gaza has averted catastrophic human losses throughout the Middle East region. His remarks came during Monday's high-level peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where international leaders gathered to solidify the agreement ending hostilities in the Palestinian territory.

Addressing the summit co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Sharif specifically acknowledged the significant contributions of several world leaders to the peace process. He highlighted the roles of President Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, noting they had "valuably" contributed to diplomatic efforts that produced the ceasefire arrangement.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which President Trump announced last week following his September 29 proposal, took effect on Friday. This initial stage included the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and began the process of Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. The successful implementation of these measures has created cautious optimism among international observers about the durability of the peace arrangement.

The second phase of the established plan outlines more comprehensive structural changes for Gaza, including the creation of a new governing mechanism that excludes Hamas participation. This next stage also envisions the deployment of a multinational security force and the disarmament of Hamas militants. The successful execution of these subsequent steps will determine the long-term stability of the region and the humanitarian recovery of Gaza's civilian population.