Kyrgyz president says events in Gaza Strip cause of 'deep concern'

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov said on Thursday that the recent events in the Gaza Strip, and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there are a cause of "deep concern."

Speaking at a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in the Belarusian capital Minsk, Zhaparov urged for finding a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the "two-state" formula, suggesting the establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of 1967 borders.

"We call on the parties to take comprehensive measures to prevent human casualties and violence against the civilian population, to cease hostilities as soon as possible and to immediately begin the negotiation process," he said.

Israel has killed over 14,000 people in air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since the Oct. 7 surprise offensive by Palestinian group Hamas. More than two-thirds of Gaza's 2.3 million population has since been displaced.

Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid and fuel have also exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated territory.

An agreement, effective from Friday, has been struck under which Hamas would free 50 hostages held in Gaza, in exchange for a four-day truce and the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Israel will also allow hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza.

Speaking about the results of the CSTO meeting, Zhaparov particularly focused on the peacekeeping activities of the Russia-led security alliance, saying a number of agreements are planned to be signed, regulating organization and deployment of peacekeeping missions.

The CSTO is made up of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, along with Armenia and Belarus.