WASHINGTON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen countries issued a joint statement Thursday calling for the "immediate release" of the hostages held by Hamas, saying that doing so "would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza."

"The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza, who are protected under international law, is of international concern," said the statement simultaneously released by leaders of the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain and Thailand.

Noting that their own citizens are among those in Hamas captivity since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel last year, the countries said freeing the hostages would also "facilitate a surge of additional necessary humanitarian assistance to be delivered throughout Gaza, and lead to the credible end of hostilities."

In addition, residents in Gaza "would be able to return to their homes and their lands with preparations beforehand to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions," they said in the statement.

"Let us end this crisis so that collectively we can focus our efforts on bringing peace and stability to the region," the statement said.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 77,000 others wounded in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli attacks, according to figures published by the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Enditem

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