Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he hoped to see US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan being implemented. “We very much hope that these initiatives of the US President will be implemented,” Putin said at the Russia-Central Asia summit in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, as Israel and Hamas agreed on the peace plan proposed by Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin pose with leaders at the Russia-Central Asia summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. (Photo: AP) Putin also reaffirmed Russia’s view that “the most important, indispensable condition for the long-term stabilisation and resolution of all issues related to this difficult problem is the creation of an independent Palestinian state.” Israel, Hamas agree on Gaza deal Israel and Hamas agreed on the first phase of the 20-point Gaza peace deal on Wednesday, on the third day of negotiations in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh. A delegation from the US, Qatar, Turkey and Palestinian Islamic Jihad also attended the talks on Wednesday to end the war that has been going on for more than two years. Iran welcomes Gaza peace deal On Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it supports any effort that halts the war in Gaza, ensures Israeli troops withdraw, delivers humanitarian aid and restores Palestinians’ rights. The ministry warned that the international community must stay alert for possible Israeli violations and urged global courts to pursue accountability for alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Experts and major rights groups have accused Israel of genocide. Israel vehemently denies the allegations. Iran welcomed Trump's Gaza peace plan. (Photo: Reuters) The statement on Telegram said Tehran has used “all its diplomatic capacities” over the past two years to pressure Israel and its allies to stop the fighting. Separately, Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wrote on X that the Gaza cease-fire “may be the prelude to the end of cease-fires in other regions.” China seeks permanent ceasefire in Gaza China also responded to the Gaza peace deal and called for a “comprehensive and permanent” ceasefire. “China hopes that a comprehensive and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza will be realized as soon as possible, the humanitarian crisis will be effectively eased, and tensions in the region will be defused,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Thursday. Guo said China “upholds the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and promotes the implementation of the two-state solution.” “We stand ready to work with the international community to make our efforts towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to Palestinian questions and a peaceful and stable Middle East,” he added.
