Azerbaijani, Pakistani top officials discuss strategic ties, Gaza ceasefire

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, held a telephone conversation on October 11 with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, to discuss the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.

During the call, the ministers reviewed current bilateral relations and explored prospects for future cooperation across various sectors. The conversation also focused on regional security, with particular attention to developments in the Middle East and the recently brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Caliber.Az reports per Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry. 

The discussion comes amid a significant breakthrough in the Gaza conflict. On the night of October 10, the Israeli government approved a deal to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas, including both the living and deceased. Under the terms of the agreement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw to newly designated lines within Gaza, after which Hamas will have 72 hours to release the captives.

In return for the remaining 48 hostages, Israel is expected to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. It is estimated that around 20 of the hostages are still alive.

This coordinated operation, involving a partial Israeli troop withdrawal and the staged release of hostages and prisoners, constitutes the first phase of a broader peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan aims to bring a long-term resolution to the Gaza conflict. President Trump confirmed on October 9 that both Israeli and Hamas representatives had agreed to implement the initial stage of the U.S.-brokered plan.

By Sabina Mammadli