US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a long-sought deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages as part of his plan to end Israel’s two-year offensive in the Palestinian enclave.
Under the deal, Hamas will release 20 live captives, while Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held since the start of its war in Gaza, according to AFP. It also means a minimum of 400 trucks of aid per day for the besieged enclave during the first five days, which will increase in the following days.
The two sides had also reached a ceasefire in January, but it shattered after Israel resumed massive attacks on Gaza on March 18, killing more than 400 people in one day. Diplomatic efforts through the United Nations also failed to secure peace, and the United States repeatedly used its veto power to block resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.
Here are some of the top reactions from around the world:
United Nations
“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald J. Trump. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye to mediate this much-needed breakthrough,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement published on X.
“I urge all concerned to fully respect the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be guaranteed. The fighting must cease once and for all. The immediate and unhindered entry of humanitarian supplies and essential commercial materials into Gaza must be guaranteed. The suffering must end.
“The United Nations will support the full implementation of the agreement and expand the delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian aid, and we will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza,” the UN chief added.
He urged all stakeholders to “seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and achieving a two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.”
Great Britain
“I welcome the news that an agreement has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza,” UK Prime Minister Starmer said in a statement.
“This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families and the civilian population of Gaza, who have endured unimaginable suffering over the past two years.
“This agreement must now be fully implemented, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“We call on all parties to honor the commitments they have made, to end the war and to lay the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to long-term peace.
Canada
“Canada welcomes Israel and Hamas’ agreement to implement the first phase of the peace plan presented by President Trump and facilitated by Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye,” said Global Affairs Canada, which manages the country’s diplomatic and consular relations.
“After two long years, the hostages will finally be reunited with their families and Israeli troops will withdraw behind agreed lines. Immediate and unimpeded humanitarian aid must be provided to the many people in urgent need throughout Gaza.
“Canada will support all efforts to turn this positive step into lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.”
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement on X, welcomed the agreement “on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan.”
Modi also praised his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: “This is also a reflection of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s strong leadership.”
“We hope that the release of the hostages and increased humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring them respite and pave the way for lasting peace.”
European Union
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the peace plan agreement was a “significant development.”
“This is an important diplomatic achievement and a real opportunity to end a devastating war and free all the hostages,” Kallas said, adding: “The EU will do everything it can to support its implementation.”
Türkiye
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry, one of the mediators, expressed hope that the ceasefire “will put an end to the genocide that has continued for two years.”
“We hope that the ceasefire agreement will be fully implemented,” he added.
The ministry stressed the need for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza, where a “humanitarian catastrophe has been unfolding, and for efforts to rebuild Gaza to begin without delay.” “Turkiye will continue to provide substantial humanitarian aid to Gaza in the coming period,” he said.
Turkiye also called for a fair resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue and the “realization of a two-state solution in the coming period.”
Italy
“Peace is near,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a post on X.
“Italy, which has always supported the American plan, is ready to do its part to consolidate the ceasefire, deliver new humanitarian aid and participate in the reconstruction of Gaza. We are also ready to send troops if an international peacekeeping force is created to reunify Palestine.”
Australia
“Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with his Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much-needed step towards peace. Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza. We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.”
Prime Minister Albanese expressed Australia’s strong support for the plan’s commitment to deny Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza.
“There is a very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long-term peace and building the Palestinian state. Together with our partners, Australia will continue to do everything we can to contribute to a just and lasting two-state solution.”
New Zealand
“Hamas needs to release all hostages and Israel must withdraw its troops to the agreed line,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
“This is an essential first step toward achieving lasting peace. We urge Israel and Hamas to continue working toward a comprehensive resolution.”
Header image: A pro-Palestinian protester holds a banner reading “Free Gaza” in front of the Colosseum during a protest in solidarity with the people of Gaza, in Rome, Italy, on October 8. – Reuters
