The world’s reactions to the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza News of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Qatar, the mediator, announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement to stop the war in Gaza and exchange Israeli prisoners with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli prisons.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced the agreement in Doha on Wednesday. He added that the ceasefire will enter into force on Sunday, January 19.

Sheikh Mohammed said that the agreement would lead to the release of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

At least 46,707 people were killed in Gaza in the Israeli war on Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel launched the devastating attack in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which at least 1,139 people were killed, according to Israeli statistics, and about 250 others were captured.

Here are some of the main reactions from around the world to the announcement of the armistice agreement:

US President Joe Biden

“The fighting in Gaza will stop, and the hostages will soon return to their families,” President Biden said at the White House.

US President-elect Donald Trump

We have an agreement on hostages in the Middle East. They will be released soon. Thank you!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

Trump said: “With the conclusion of this agreement, my national security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to 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.” He said in a second post.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

Guterres told reporters that the United Nations is ready to support the agreement and “expand the delivery of sustainable humanitarian aid to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Fidan told reporters in Ankara that the ceasefire agreement is an important step to achieve regional stability. He also said that Turkish efforts for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

The Prime Minister called for calm in the Gaza Strip from now until January 19, when the ceasefire agreement enters into force.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

In a post on the X website, Sisi welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and stressed the importance of the rapid 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. “The hostages will be reunited with their loved ones and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza,” she said. This brings hope to an entire region, where people have endured enormous suffering for too long. The parties must fully implement this agreement, as a starting point towards permanent stability in the region and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium

“We feel very comfortable with the hostages” after several months of conflict, De Croo said. “Let us hope that this ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustainable peace. Belgium is ready to help,” he said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

“In these hours, there is hope that the hostages will finally be released and that the deaths in Gaza will end,” Baerbock said. “Whoever bears the responsibility must now make sure they seize this opportunity.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

“After months of devastating bloodshed and the loss of countless lives, 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 Stoer

Jar Steuer stressed the need to strengthen Palestinian institutions in order to “assume full control and responsibility, including in Gaza.” “Both Israel and Palestine must receive credible security guarantees, and the solution must be based on the regional level.”