The world reacts to the announcement of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza | News about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Mediator Qatar has announced that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to end the war in Gaza and exchange Israeli prisoners for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced the agreement on Wednesday in Doha. He said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday, January 19.
The deal will lead to the release of Israeli prisoners and Palestinian prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sheikh Mohammed said.
At least 46,707 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel launched the devastating attack in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which at least 1,139 people were killed, according to Israeli statistics, and approximately 250 others were captured.
Here are some key reactions from around the world to the announcement of the ceasefire agreement:
US President Joe Biden
“The fighting in Gaza will end and the hostages will soon return home to their families,” President Biden said at the White House.
The newly elected US President Donald Trump
“We have an agreement for hostages in the Middle East. They will be released soon. Thank you!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“With this agreement, my national security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza NEVER again becomes a safe haven for terrorists,” Trump said. in another post.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
Guterres told reporters that the UN stands ready to support the deal and “step up the delivery of ongoing humanitarian assistance to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
Fidan told reporters in Ankara that the ceasefire agreement was an important step for regional stability. He also said that Turkey’s efforts for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would continue.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
The prime minister called for peace in the Gaza Strip between now and January 19, when the cease-fire agreement comes into effect.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
In a post on X, el-Sisi welcomed the cease-fire agreement in Gaza and stressed the importance of prompt delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Von der Leyen “warmly” welcomed the news of the ceasefire agreement. She said that “the hostages will be reunited with their loved ones, and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza. This brings hope to the entire region, where people have endured immense suffering for too long. Both sides must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone towards lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.”
Alexander De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister
De Croo said “we feel a huge sense of relief for the hostages” after many months of conflict. “Let us hope that this ceasefire will end the fighting and mark the beginning of sustainable peace. Belgium is ready to help,” he said.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
Baerbock said that “in these hours there is hope that the hostages will finally be freed and that the deaths in Gaza will come to an end.” Everyone with responsibility now needs to ensure that this opportunity is seized.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-awaited news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have been desperately waiting for,” Starmer said in an emailed statement.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere
Gahr Stoere insisted on the need to strengthen the Palestinian institutions in order to “take full control and responsibility, including Gaza. Both Israel and Palestine must receive credible security guarantees, and the solution must be regionally based,” he said.
