Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Saturday morning welcomed "the positive news on the ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza" in a social media post. He wrote following news that the Israeli cabinet had approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.
"The implementation of the ceasefire agreement reunites hostages with their families and ensures that the aid reaches the people in Gaza, who are in desperate need of humanitarian relief," Stubb wrote on X.
Early Saturday, after meeting for more than six hours, the Israeli government ratified the agreement that could pave the way for an end to the 15-month-old war in the Palestinian enclave, which Hamas controls.
"The agreement is an important step in searching for peace in the Middle East. I encourage all the parties to use this momentum to move forward in ending the conflict, based on a two-state solution," Stubb added.
Valtonen hopeful, Haavisto wary
On Wednesday – before the Israeli government’s final seal of approval – Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) said that she "warmly welcome[d] the Gaza ceasefire and the release of the hostages". In a message on X, she added that "we hope for full implementation and take this as a first step towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict".
Interviewed by commercial broadcaster MTV on Friday evening, just before the final confirmation, MP and former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto (Greens) expressed scepticism about the solidity of the ceasefire deal.
"It's not difficult to be pessimistic when so many previous agreements have been violated," he said. "We must hope that the agreement holds. It's good that the agreement is structured into various stages, i.e. first a temporary ceasefire and the release of some hostages, and finally a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza," noted Haavisto, who has served as a UN envoy in various disputes.
"We must hope that we will reach the point of rebuilding Gaza. It depends on the parties how this will be achieved," he continued.
Haavisto has been nominated as UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, but Israel opposes the appointment because of Haavisto's ties to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Last autumn, Israel has declared Guterres persona non grata after he condemned Israel's bombing of Gaza, citing its civilian casualties. Palestinian health authorities say that Israel's attack on Gaza has killed more than 46,600 people, with just over half of victims being women, children or older people.
Haavisto was tight-lipped when asked about the status of his possible UN assignment on Friday.
"UN processes are usually long. Now we just have to wait calmly. I can't say more at this stage," he replied.
Last February, Stubb, also a former foreign minister, defeated Haavisto by the narrowest margin ever in a Finnish presidential election.
On Tuesday, Stubb, Valtonen, and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio (Finns) head to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum.