World leaders on Thursday expressed hope for peace and urged Israel and Hamas to fulfill their commitments in the hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the parties had agreed to the “first phase” of a deal signaling a major breakthrough in the two-year war in Gaza.
Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.
“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote on social media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”
Here's how other leaders responded.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, adding France will continue to hold talks with international partners to seek a political solution to the war.
"This agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution," Macron said in posts on social media platform X.
"France stands ready to contribute to this goal. We will discuss it this afternoon in Paris with our international partners," he added.
United Nations “The United Nations will support the full implementation of the agreement and will scale up the delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian relief, and we will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza,” US Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
Canada “I am relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media.
"After years of intense suffering, peace finally feels attainable," he said. “Canada calls on all parties to swiftly implement all agreed terms and to work towards a just and lasting peace.”
Carney, like several other leaders, praised Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for their role in the negotiations.
Argentina “I want to take the opportunity to say that I will sign the candidacy of Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to international peace,” Argentine President Javier Milei posted on X.
“Any other leader with similar achievements would have received it a long time ago," the libertarian leader and Trump ally wrote.
Malaysia “This development offers a semblance of hope after months of unbearable suffering and devastation,” Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement.
He urged all parties to seize the opportunity to move toward a comprehensive and enduring peace.
Japan “Japan welcomes that the agreement on the ‘first phase’ has been reached among the involved parties,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. “This agreement is an important step toward de-escalating the situation and achieving the two-state solution,” he said.
He also praised the US, Qatar, Egypt, Türkiye and other mediating countries for their “relentless effort” and sought “sincere and steady implementation” by all involved parties.
Hayashi promised Tokyo’s support and contribution to improving Gaza’s humanitarian conditions and reconstruction.
Australia Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the agreement as a “ray of light.” The announcement brought “hope that after eight decades of conflict and terror, we can break this cycle of violence and build something better,” he said.
“Today the world has cause for real hope,” the Australian leader added.
New Zealand “Over the past two years, both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered immensely,” New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Thursday. “Today is a positive first step in bringing that suffering to an end.”
Peters urged Hamas and Israel to fulfil their parts of the deal.
“This is an essential first step towards achieving lasting peace,” Peters said. “We urge Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution.”
India “We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X on Thursday.
Pakistan Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X that the deal represents “a historic opportunity to end the suffering in Gaza and move toward a just and durable peace.”
He praised Trump for his role in paving the way for the deal.
“President Trump’s leadership throughout the process of dialogue and negotiations reflects his unwavering commitment to world peace,” he said. Sharif also praised the roles of Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye in mediating the agreement.
“Above all, we pay tribute to the resilience of the Palestinian people, who have endured unimaginable hardship that must never be repeated,” Sharif said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said "Now, all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released safely. A permanent ceasefire must be established. The suffering must end," she posted on X, adding that the EU would keep supporting aid deliveries to Gaza and stood ready to help with reconstruction.
