UN chief welcomes cease-fire in Gaza, Israel

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire in Gaza and Israel, said his spokesman.

Guterres is deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries, including children, from airstrikes on Gaza and the indiscriminate firing of rockets toward Israel from population centers in Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and other militant groups, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

The hostilities have contributed to a humanitarian emergency. Crossings into Gaza have been closed and power shortages are affecting essential facilities and supplies. Hundreds of buildings and homes have been destroyed or damaged, leaving thousands of Palestinians homeless, said the spokesman.

The secretary-general commended Egypt for its efforts carried out in close coordination with the United Nations to help restore calm. The secretary-general called on all sides to observe the cease-fire, said Dujarric.

"He reaffirms the United Nations' commitment to the achievement of the two-state solution based on relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and prior agreements and the importance of restoring a political horizon. Only a negotiated sustainable political solution will end, once and for all, these devastating cycles of violence and lead to a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis alike," said the spokesman.

The PIJ active in the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday that it has reached a cease-fire agreement with Israel. Israel also confirmed the Egyptian-brokered deal that ends the Israeli airstrikes and the barrage of Palestinian rockets.