Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: World leaders react to deal

DH Web Desk

US President Joe Biden

"I can announce a ceasefire, and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas. Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families. For the Palestinian people, a credible, credible pathway to a state of their own. And for the region, a future of normalization, integration of Israel and all its Arab neighbours, including Saudi Arabia," Biden said at the White House.

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Credit: Reuters

US President-elect Donald Trump

"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!" Trump said in a post on a social platform.

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Credit: Reuters

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

"The United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer," he told reporters.

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Credit: Reuters

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

He told reporters in Ankara the ceasefire deal was an important step for regional stability. Fidan also said, "Turkish efforts for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would continue."

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Credit: Reuters

Qatar's PM Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

The prime minister called for calm in the Gaza Strip between now and January 19, when the ceasefire deal takes effect.

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Credit: Reuters

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi

He welcomed the Gaza ceasefire deal, according to a post on X, and stressed the importance of a fast delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

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Credit: Reuters

International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric

“I hope this agreement marks a new beginning. Civilian lives must be protected, and their needs prioritised. The coming days are critical, and we are counting on the parties to hold to their commitments. While the agreement is welcome, it is not the end."

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Credit: X/@ICRCPresident

President of European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen

"I warmly welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza. Hostages will be reunited with their loved ones and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza. This brings hope to an entire region, where people have endured immense suffering for far too long. Both parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” she said.

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United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed

He stressed "the importance that both Israel and Hamas adhere to the commitments made to end the suffering of the Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages."

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Credit: Reuters

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

"We hope that the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza will contribute to ending the aggression, destruction, and killing in the strip and the occupied Palestinian territories and to start a new phase in which this just cause will not be marginalised."

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Credit: Reuters

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry

It welcomed the deal and thanked the mediating countries. It urged commitment "to the deal to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip and all Palestinian and Arab lands... It also affirms the importance of building on this deal to resolve the basis of the conflict."

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Credit: Reuters

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

"This agreement is a constructive step to peace and stability in the region. Today must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people. We hope it will allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild, reform their governance, which is most necessary, and pursue self-determination. Australia remains unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas’s atrocities on the 7th of October and of the ideology that drives this terrorist organisation. There must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza."

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Credit: Reuters

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo

“After too many months of conflict, we feel tremendous relief for the hostages, for their families and for the people of Gaza. Let’s hope families,ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustained peace. Belgium stands ready to help.”

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German Foreign Secretary Annalena Baerbock

"In these hours there is hope that the hostages will finally be released and the deaths in Gaza will come to an end. Everyone who bears responsibility should now ensure that this opportunity is seized."

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

"For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza. And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people - grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state."

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Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere

"The Palestinian institutions must be strengthened and prepared to assume full control and responsibility, including in Gaza. Both Israel and Palestine must receive credible security guarantees, and the solution must be anchored regionally."

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

"This agreement is crucial to achieving regional stability. It represents an indispensable step on the road to a two-state solution and a just peace that respects international law."

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Credit: Reuters