Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal: Reactions and quotes from world leaders
Negotiators reached a phased ceasefire deal on Wednesday in the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Here is some reaction to the deal.
US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
"I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas," Biden said at the White House.
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"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 neighbors, including Saudi Arabia," he said.
US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP
"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!" he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"With this deal in place, 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 make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven," Trump said in a second post.
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.
"It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support a major increase in urgent lifesaving humanitarian support."
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.
QATAR'S PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL THANI
The prime minister called for calm in the Gaza Strip between now and Jan. 19 when the ceasefire deal takes effect.
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.
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."
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION
"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.
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."
He said unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid was urgent.
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."
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."
MOHAMMED ABDULSALAM, SPOKESPERSON FOR YEMEN'S HOUTHIS
"We salute Gaza's legendary and historic resilience in the face of Israel's fiercest aggression against the oppressed Palestinian people.... With its continued occupation of Palestine, (Israel) represents a threat to the security and stability of the region."
SOUTH AFRICA GOVERNMENT
"South Africa welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of Israel's genocidal onslaught on Gaza after Hamas and other armed groups launched an attack on Israel. South Africa calls for the implementation of a just and lasting peace that ensures the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis are protected and promoted."
ANTHONY ALBANESE, AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER
"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."
CINDY MCCAIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
"...A ceasefire is the start -- not the end. We have food lined up at the borders to Gaza -- and need to be able to bring it in at scale. For this: We need all border crossings open and be able to move food safely from the crossing points to the people in need across Gaza."
ALEXANDER DE CROO, BELGIUM'S PRIME MINISTER
"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 this ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustained peace. Belgium stands ready to help."
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."
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."
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."
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."
