Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have borne the brunt of Israel’s two-year war on the enclave, celebrated the ceasefire deal [Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images]
Countries around the world have welcomed the announcement of a captive exchange and ceasefire to end Israel’s two-year war on Gaza, with Palestinians in Gaza and the families of Israeli captives marking the occasion with celebration and relief.
US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire in the early hours of Thursday morning, posting on his Truth Social network that it was “a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, and all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America”.
He also thanked mediators Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for pushing for the agreement, while the White House labelled him “THE PEACE PRESIDENT” in a post on X.
Alongside Trump, other world leaders also joined in praising the agreement, with the UK’s Keir Starmer calling it “a moment of proud relief that will be felt around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron called for the ceasefire to be the “beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution,” while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni said her country was prepared to contribute to Gaza’s post-war development.
Both Russia and China said they support the ceasefire agreement, with China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson reiterating its calls for Palestinians to govern themselves, as stipulated – with qualifications – in Trump’s 20-point plan, which does not envisage a sovereign Palestinian state.
Antonio Guterres said the UN urged all parties to abide by the agreement, allow for the entry of aid into Gaza, and use the opportunity to establish a path towards a two-state solution.
In the Middle East, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government acted as a mediator in the latter stages of the talks, sent his “heartfelt greetings to our Palestinian brothers and sisters who, despite enduring indescribable suffering for two years… have not compromised their dignified stance in the face of all these tragedies.”
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hailed it as a “historic moment” that “does not only close the chapter of war. It also opens the door of hope for the peoples of the region for a future defined by justice and stability”.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi praised mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, the US and Turkey for the agreement and reaffirmed Jordan’s role as a point for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He went on to stress that, alongside “partner countries” in the region, Jordan would continue to push for an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative.
Saudi Arabia echoed those sentiments, with the foreign ministry calling the ceasefire an important step towards a just peace in the region, while the UAE called on parties to abide by the agreement.
Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard cautioned that “for any lasting ceasefire agreement to succeed, it must be firmly rooted in respect for human rights and international law and must include an immediate stop to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.”
Celebrations in Gaza and mixed reactions in Israel
In Palestine, the ceasefire announcement was welcomed by different parties, with Hamas saying it had reached an agreement “stipulating an end to the war on Gaza, the occupation’s withdrawal from it, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange.”
The group also expressed appreciation towards the efforts of mediators and Trump, urging him and other international parties to “oblige the occupation government to fully implement the agreement’s requirements.”
In the West Bank, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, also welcomed the deal and “expressed hope that these efforts would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution… leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative in the occupied West Bank, said that credit for halting the war was due to the “courage of the Palestinian people in Gaza and all of Palestine,” and added that “vigilance must be maintained against the schemes of Netanyahu and his fascist government”.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, videos circulated online showing people, including Palestinian journalists, celebrating the ceasefire and the end of the killing.
Palestinian Journalist Huda Naim posted a video on X of journalists performing prayers following the announcement, writing, “Those who remain from Gaza’s journalists once again remove the final shield of journalism… prostrating in joy at the victory of God.”
Resident of Khan Younis, Ayman al-Najjar, told AFP that “despite all the wounding and the killing, and the loss of loved ones and relatives, we are happy today after the ceasefire.”
Abeer Al-Sinwar, the programme officer on gender based violence for Medical Aid for Palestinians, who is currently based in Gaza City, said that “the feelings are mixed, with overwhelming pain and deep sorrow,” and that “we hope the coming days will bring more peace and relief to all the people of Gaza.”
In Israel, the families of Israeli captives held by Hamas in the enclave also expressed joy, with people dancing in Tel Aviv’s hostage square, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum issuing a statement saying the ceasefire “represents important and meaningful progress toward bringing everyone home.”
Opposition politician Ayman Odeh, who leads the leftwing Hadash party, wrote on X that he was happy for the deal: “No war has proven more than this one that there is no military solution. From here, both peoples must be freed from the yoke of occupation.”
Yair Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid party, as well as President Isaac Herzog, called for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Extreme-right Israeli ministers said they would not vote for a ceasefire deal, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a keen advocate of West Bank annexation, posting on X: “We cannot join in short-sighted celebrations or vote in favour of the deal.”
He added: “Immediately after the abductees return home, the state of Israel must continue to strive with all its strength to fully eradicate Hamas and completely demilitarise Gaza so that it no longer poses a threat to Israel,” raising fears that Israel would eventually break the ceasefire deal and resume its genocidal war.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, said that the cabinet meeting was set “expected in the evening hours,” which will see a vote on the ceasefire.
