HAMAS-ISRAEL CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT HAS 'BROUGHT A RAY OF HOPE TO THE REGION': MESUT OZIL

ANKARA, Jan 16 (Bernama-AA) -- The ceasefire agreement announced Wednesday between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas has “brought a ray of hope to the region," said former German international footballer Mesut Ozil, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. 

"I sincerely hope this agreement will be beneficial for our Palestinian brothers and sisters and lead to the establishment of lasting peace and tranquillity in our region," the 36-year-old wrote on his X account.

"I remember with mercy all the innocent lives lost during this process and pray for the swift recovery of the wounded. Our wish is that this step will be an important beginning on the path to lasting peace," Ozil added.

Earlier, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman announced the success of mediators in reaching a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip, noting that its implementation will begin this Sunday.

The announcement comes on day 467 of Israel's genocide against Gaza, which with US backing has killed and wounded more than 156,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters in recent times.

Ozil, who bagged the 2012 Spanish La Liga title with Real Madrid and four FA Cups with Arsenal in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020, announced his retirement from professional football in March 2023.

The Turkish-born German international also won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, where he scored 23 goals in 92 appearances.

-- BERNAMA-AA