Switzerland supports cease-fire in Gaza; supports initiative by US, Qatar, Egypt

'Suffering must end, all hostages be released, and unhindered humanitarian aid facilitated,' says head of Swiss Confederation

Switzerland officially expressed support Friday for the call by the US, Qatar and Egypt for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The announcement was made by Viola Amherd, the president of the Swiss Confederation, who underscored the urgent need to alleviate suffering in the region. "Switzerland supports the call by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to conclude without delay a ceasefire in Gaza. The suffering must end, all hostages be released, and unhindered humanitarian aid facilitated," she wrote on X. Amherd emphasized that a cease-fire is essential not only for the immediate cessation of violence but also for the broader goal of regional de-escalation. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,700 injured, in Israel’s retaliation for an attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, according to local health authorities. Over 10 months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.