US President Donald Trump has announced that "Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our peace plan."
This phase includes the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops as agreed.
“This means that ALL hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed line as the first steps towards a Strong, Lasting and Lasting Peace. All parties will be treated fairly!
"This is a BIG DAY for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event possible," Trump wrote on X.
A Qatari official said the agreement would "lead to an end to the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid."
Hamas has called on Trump and the guarantor states to ensure that Israel implements the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, CNN reports.
Exhausted Palestinians welcome peace deal amid hope and skepticism
Exhausted by months of brutal bombing, some Palestinians were skeptical but eager to see the first phase of Trump's peace plan take effect, just hours after the agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced.
Paramedic Saeed Awad said he was initially skeptical about the possibility of a ceasefire because of previous failed attempts to end the war.
"They all ended in failure. So we didn't pay attention to this round," he said. he.
When he first heard the news, Awad said, he had to ask others, seeking confirmation.
"We have been in this war and this suffering for two years," Awad said.
Alaa Abd Rabbo, displaced from northern Gaza in Deir al-Balah, said the ceasefire agreement is "a day of relief sent by God."
He said he has been moved from his home several times, to different parts of Gaza.
“We are tired. We have been displaced and this is the day we have been waiting for,” Abd Rabbo said. “We want to go home, to do our jobs, to check our houses. Even though there are no more houses, we still want to go home. We want to work. We have slept and stayed on the streets.”
Journalists in Gaza City celebrate peace deal
In Gaza, where shelling had been heard in the early hours of Thursday before news of the deal broke, several journalists wandered the city's dark streets, joyfully shouting that "the war is over," according to a video they posted on social media.
The reporters, laughing and jumping, shouted that most of the people left in the city did not have internet and had to wake up to hear the news.
In southern Gaza, a group of young men lifted another journalist onto their shoulders as he broadcast the news on his channel, celebrating the ceasefire.
Erdogan thanks Trump for showing willingness for Israel-Hamas deal
Photo: Associated Press
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country played a role in the negotiations, expressed satisfaction with the ceasefire agreement reached between Hamas and Israel.
In a statement posted on X, Erdogan thanked Trump for "demonstrating the necessary political will," as well as Qatar and Egypt for facilitating the deal.
Erdogan said that Turkey will closely monitor the full implementation of the agreement and will continue to contribute to the process.
"I extend my heartfelt greetings to my Palestinian brothers and sisters who have endured unspeakable suffering for two years," the Turkish president said.
Meanwhile, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said that sending humanitarian aid to the region is a priority and stressed the urgent need to begin rebuilding Gaza.
World leaders welcome agreement towards Gaza peace plan
Photo: Associated Press
World leaders have welcomed the agreement on the first phase of the US president's plan for Gaza.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stressed that the EU will continue to support "the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza," and when the time comes, reconstruction.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France is ready to contribute to resolving the issue of a Palestinian state.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was a moment of relief that would be felt around the world, as he called for full implementation by the parties.
"We call on all parties to fulfill their commitments, end the war, and build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to long-term peace," he said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement "extraordinary news" and stressed that the opportunity to end the conflict must be seized immediately. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added that Italy is ready to send troops if peacekeeping forces are needed.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote that the agreement "should be a step towards lasting peace."
Australia also welcomed it.
"Australia strongly supports the plan's commitment to recognizing Hamas as a full-fledged role in the future governance of Gaza. Together with our partners, Australia will continue to contribute to a just and sustainable two-state solution," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Canadian office that handles the country's diplomatic relations, "Global Affairs Canada", wrote that Canada welcomes the agreement as well.
"Canada will support every effort to turn this positive step into lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians," that office wrote.
And UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the terms of the agreement to be respected.
"The United Nations will support the full implementation of the agreement and will increase the delivery of sustainable and principled humanitarian assistance, as well as advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza."
"I call on all actors to seize this historic opportunity to establish a credible political path towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security," Guterres said.