Arab and western countries praised on Monday US President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war on Gaza.
Trump said after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House that the Israeli leader had agreed to the plan. Hamas has yet to make its position clear on it.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad group chief Ziad al-Nakhala said on Monday that he considered the plan a "recipe to blow up the region". The group, which also has taken hostages, is an Iran-backed ally of Hamas.
Elsewhere, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt welcomed the plan, praising "Trump’s leadership and his sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza."
In a statement, they underlined the "importance of the partnership with the United States in securing peace in the region."
The ministers stressed "their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the US and the parties toward finalizing the agreement and ensuring its implementation, in a way that ensures peace, security, and stability for the peoples of the region."
They reiterated their joint commitment to work with the US to end the war in Gaza "through a comprehensive deal that ensures unrestricted delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to the enclave, no displacement of the Palestinians, the release of hostages, a security mechanism that guarantees the security of all sides and a full Israeli withdrawal."
They hoped the plan would lead to "just peace based on the two-state solution, under which Gaza is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state in line with international law." Such a solution is "key to achieving regional stability and security."
Speaking at a joint White House press conference following a meeting with Netanyahu, Trump said they were "beyond very close" to an elusive peace deal for the Palestinian enclave. But he warned Hamas that Israel would have full US support to take whatever action it deemed necessary if it rejects what he has offered.
The White House released a 20-point document that called for an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament and a transitional government led by an international body.
Other reactions
The Palestinian Authority welcomed Trump's efforts to end the war, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
The Palestinian Authority reiterated its commitment to work with the US and partners to reach a comprehensive deal that includes "paving way for just peace on the basis of two-state solution," WAFA reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday praised Trump's "efforts and leadership" to end the war.
"I commend US President Donald Trump's efforts and leadership aimed at halting the bloodshed in Gaza and achieving a ceasefire," said Erdogan, who met Trump at the White House for the first time in six years last week.
Türkiye would continue to contribute to the process "with a view to establishing a just and lasting peace acceptable to all parties," he added on X.
Türkiye has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel's two-year assault on Gaza, which it calls a "genocide". It has halted all trade with Israel, urged international action against Netanyahu and his government, and repeatedly called for a two-state solution.
France's President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Trump's commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages.
"I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan," Macron said in a statement on X.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Trump's efforts to end the war.
"We call on all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalize this agreement and bring it into reality. Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery, by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages." Starmer said.
Italy also welcomed the plan and said it was ready to play its part in close coordination with the US, European partners, and regional actors, the prime minister's office said on Monday.
"The proposal presented today by US President Donald Trump could mark a turning point, enabling a permanent cessation of hostilities, the immediate release of all hostages, and full and secure humanitarian access for the civilian population," it said in a statement.
"Hamas, in particular - having initiated this war with the barbaric terrorist attack of October 7, 2023 - now has the opportunity to end it by releasing the hostages, agreeing to have no role in Gaza's future, and fully disarming," the statement added.
China said Tuesday that it "supports all efforts" for a de-escalation in Gaza.
"China welcomes and supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions between Palestine and Israel," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that she welcomed Trump's peace proposal.
"Welcome President @realDonaldTrump's commitment to end the war in Gaza. Encourage all parties to now seize this opportunity. The EU stands ready to contribute," she wrote on X.
"Hostilities should end with provision of immediate humanitarian relief to the population in Gaza and with all hostages released immediately," she added.
Israeli opposition lawmaker Benny Gantz on Monday said in a post on X that Trump's proposal was an opportunity to free the hostages held there and safeguard Israel's security.
Gantz, who joined Netanyahu's government after the Hamas attack in October 2023 but later left, leads the Blue and White Party, which holds eight of the 120 seats in the Knesset.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, whose Yesh Atid party has 24 seats, also wrote on X backing the Trump proposal.
