Global reaction to news of Gaza peace deal

World leaders welcomed the news that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.

The agreement paves the way for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the entry of aid into Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement “a big day for Israel” and said his government would meet on Thursday to ratify the deal.

Hamas said the talks were “responsible and serious” and called on the United States and other mediators to ensure Israel implements the deal “without rejection or delay.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads Hamas’ rival Fatah movement, also welcomed Trump’s announcement.

He expressed hope that “these efforts will be a beginning to reaching a lasting political solution that will lead to an end to Israel’s occupation of the State of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the agreement “an important opportunity”, adding that the UN would support the “full implementation” of the agreement, increase the distribution of humanitarian aid and advance reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

Guterres called on all parties to abide by the terms of the agreement, including the release of Israeli hostages, respect for a permanent ceasefire, and allowing humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza immediately.

“The suffering needs to end,” he said.

Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, wrote of X: “Great news. Let’s get the hostages out and send aid quickly.”

In a Truth Social post announcing the agreement, US President Donald Trump said it was “a BIG day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the United States of America.”

He added: “We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.”

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement was a moment of “deep relief that will be felt around the world”.

He called on all parties to “fulfill their commitments, end the war and build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “After more than two years of conflict, hostages and devastating civilian casualties, this is a much-needed step towards peace” and “We call on all parties to respect the terms of the plan.”

US House Leader Chuck Schumer said the agreement brought “great relief to the families of the hostages, to all of Israel, and to the Palestinians who have long suffered in this terrible humanitarian catastrophe.”

The Hostage Families Forum, an organization advocating the return of Israeli captives in Gaza, expressed its “deep gratitude to President Trump” for what it called a “historic breakthrough.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the release of the hostages was a “blessing” and thanked the US and Israeli leaders.

“I warmly embrace the families of the hostages, whose loved ones, including IDF soldiers and fallen heroes, are expected to return home soon.”

According to Reuters, residents of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza cheered after the peace agreement was announced.

“Thank God, today President Trump announced that the war has stopped, we are very happy that the war has stopped, this is a joyful thing for us and we thank our brothers and everyone who contributed, even verbally, to stop the war and stop the bloodshed,” Wael Radwan told the news agency.

Abdul Majeed Rabbo said, “I thank God for the ceasefire, for the end of bloodshed and killings. I am not the only one who is happy, the whole Gaza Strip is happy, the whole Arab people, the whole world is happy for the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed.” he said.

“I hope that the coming days will bring us happy news and that we can live safely with our loved ones,” Musa, a doctor in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, told the BBC via WhatsApp on Thursday morning.

“We have lost a lot in two years of war. The Gaza Strip has been destroyed. A difficult period still awaits us, but the important thing is that we hope to be safe.”

Suha Shaath, a pharmacist in the south, said she did not believe this.

“So far I don’t believe that this war can be over and that we have survived this disaster and are still alive,” he said.

Israel does not allow international journalists independent access to Gaza; so most of the BBC’s communication with people there over the last two years has been through messages and phone calls.

In Tel Aviv, the mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in the city’s Hostages Square to celebrate the news that he would be deported back to Israel.

“They’re coming back!… Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter in her arms.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared on social media, “My child, you are coming home.”

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage, Romi Gonen, by reciting prayers of thanks and then toasting “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. His friends are campaigning for the release of his twin children, Gali and Ziv Berman.

Their sister Liran Berman shared the following: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you very much. You are coming home.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin, Carmel Gat, was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and his body was recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He is working with other hostage families to reach an agreement that would allow for the return of those currently held in Gaza.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for a long time and here it is,” he told the BBC.

He said he felt “hurt” that Carmel would not be among those returning home, but was “gleaming with joy for the families of the hostages who finally returned.”

Palestinians displaced by the war told The Associated Press they hope the peace deal will allow them to leave shelters and return to their homes.

Ayman Saber, who lives in Khan Younis, says, “I will rebuild the house, we will rebuild Gaza.”

Ahmed Sheheiber said he was “impatiently” waiting to return home to the Jabalia refugee camp.

“This is a great day, a great joy,” he said.

Aid coordinator Eyad Amawi said he felt a mixture of happiness and sadness and was concerned that Israel was putting obstacles in the way of the deal.

“We believe and we don’t believe. Our emotions are mixed, between happiness and sadness, we have memories; everything is mixed,” he said.

“We need to fix everything here, especially the psychological effects [continue] with our lives.”