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Latin American countries, including Venezuela, Chile, Peru and Brazil, on Thursday marked the end of Israel's nearly two-month-long offensive in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry welcomed the open-ended ceasefire announced on Tuesday by Israeli and Palestinian officials after 51 days of fighting, which killed over 2,100 Palestinians, including over 500 children, as well as 64 soldiers and six civilians on the Israeli side.
Venezuela also praised "the positive influence of the Arab Republic of Egypt in its role as mediator."
Under the truce agreement, humanitarian aid will be allowed into the Gaza Strip, and the area of operations for Gazan fishermen is expanded to six nautical miles.
The Venezuelan government condemned Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territories and called for "a complete and definitive end to the blockade imposed by the Israeli government against Gaza."
It also called on the United Nations to carry out a thorough investigation into human rights violations and war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.
Peru, Chile and Brazil, meanwhile, announced that they were ready to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel by allowing their ambassadors to return to Tel Aviv, after they had been recalled in protest against Israel's Gaza offensive.
Brazil and Venezuela were among the most outspoken countries, not just in the region, but across the world, in condemning the Israeli bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza.
In Latin America, Ecuador was the first to recall its ambassador, followed by Brazil five days later, and then Chile, Peru and El Salvador.
