(MENAFN) Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter stated on Monday that the prerequisites for recognizing Palestine have not yet been satisfied, emphasizing the importance of a lasting ceasefire and a stable government.

"We feel that there are some conditions that have to be fulfilled, like all the hostages must return home, and also the dead bodies. There must be a permanent ceasefire, there must be a plan for peace," she remarked in response to a question by a news agency during a press briefing with the Foreign Press Association in Bern.

Regarding recognition, Keller-Sutter explained that it "may come one day… when the conditions are fulfilled, but there must also be really a stable government, elections and so on."

When questioned about whether Switzerland believes the criteria for genocide have been met in Gaza, she responded: "Switzerland condemns every violation of international law. So we condemned the disproportionate intervention of Israel, as well as the terrorist attack of Hamas."

She further added: "If there is a genocide or not, will be decided by international courts."

In response to a question from the news agency about Zurich canton’s recent refusal to admit wounded children from Gaza for medical treatment, Keller-Sutter clarified that such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the cantons, not the federal government.

Currently, seven children from the Gaza Strip are being treated in pediatric hospitals across the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Ticino, Basel-Stadt, Lucerne, and St. Gallen. Another 13 children and their relatives are anticipated to arrive in November.

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