World leaders on Thursday expressed hope for peace and urged Israel and Hamas to fulfil their commitments in the hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the parties had agreed to the “first phase” of a deal signalling 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.
Israel and Hamas agree to the first phase of a plan to end the conflict. (Source: 1News)
“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.
United Nations
Table of Contents
- 1. United Nations
- 2. Canada
- 3. Argentina
- 4. Malaysia
- 5. Japan
- 6. Australia
- 7. New Zealand
- 8. How might Saudi Arabian foreign policy influence the long-term success of the economic investment component of the agreement?
- 9. Global Leaders Respond to Trump’s announcement of Israel-Hamas Peace Agreement
- 10. Initial Reactions: A World on Watch
- 11. Key Responses from Major Powers
- 12. Concerns and Criticisms: Roadblocks to Peace?
- 13. The Economic Dimension: Gulf State Investment
“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,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
The UN chief urged all parties “to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognising the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security”.
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 Turkey 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.
Moment Rubio urgently passes Trump not as Gaza deal announced, watch on TVNZ+
He also praised the US, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey 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.”
How might Saudi Arabian foreign policy influence the long-term success of the economic investment component of the agreement?
Global Leaders Respond to Trump’s announcement of Israel-Hamas Peace Agreement
Initial Reactions: A World on Watch
Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a brokered peace agreement between Israel and Hamas has sent shockwaves through the international community. The details, revealed in a late-night press conference, outline a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, coupled with a commitment from Hamas to disarm and participate in Palestinian Authority-led governance. Initial responses from global leaders have been varied, ranging from cautious optimism to outright skepticism. The core of the agreement, as presented, centers around economic investment in Gaza facilitated by a consortium of Gulf States, contingent upon sustained peace. This Israel-Hamas peace deal is unprecedented, given the decades-long conflict.
Key Responses from Major Powers
Here’s a breakdown of reactions from key global players:
* United States: While the Biden management was reportedly blindsided by the announcement, a statement released by the State Department expressed “hopeful cautiousness.” The US pledged to monitor the implementation of the agreement closely and offer support where appropriate, emphasizing the need for verifiable steps towards lasting peace. The focus remains on US foreign policy in the Middle East.
* European Union: The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called for a extensive assessment of the agreement’s terms. He stressed the importance of ensuring the agreement aligns with international law and respects the rights of both israelis and Palestinians. The EU is prioritizing EU-Israel relations and EU-Palestine relations in its response.
* United Kingdom: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the announcement as a “perhaps significant step forward,” but echoed concerns about the need for concrete guarantees and a robust monitoring mechanism. The UK’s stance emphasizes UK Middle East policy and regional stability.
* China: china’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement supporting any effort that promotes peace and stability in the region. They reiterated their long-standing position advocating for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. This reflects China’s growing influence in international diplomacy.
* Russia: Russia’s response has been more reserved, with a statement emphasizing the need for all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the agreement. Russia’s involvement is tied to its broader strategic interests in the Middle East and its relationship with various regional actors.
* Saudi Arabia: as a key facilitator of the economic component of the deal, Saudi Arabia expressed strong support for the agreement. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hailed it as a “historic chance” to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. This highlights the importance of Saudi Arabian foreign policy.
Concerns and Criticisms: Roadblocks to Peace?
Despite the initial wave of reactions, significant concerns remain. Several key issues are being debated:
* Hamas’s Commitment: Skeptics question Hamas’s willingness and ability to fully disarm and renounce violence. Past agreements have faltered due to Hamas’s non-compliance. The credibility of Hamas leadership is under scrutiny.
* palestinian Authority’s Role: The agreement’s reliance on the Palestinian Authority’s governance in Gaza raises questions about its capacity and legitimacy, particularly given its weakened position and internal divisions.
* Settlement Expansion: The agreement does not address the issue of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, a major obstacle to a comprehensive peace settlement. This remains a critical point of contention in Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution.
* Gaza Reconstruction: The scale of reconstruction needed in Gaza is immense, and securing sufficient funding and ensuring its equitable distribution will be a major challenge.The Gaza economy is in dire need of revitalization.
* Regional Stability: The potential for backlash from hardline elements within both Israel and Hamas, and also from regional actors opposed to the agreement, poses a significant threat to its sustainability.
The Economic Dimension: Gulf State Investment
A central pillar of the Trump-brokered agreement is a multi-billion dollar investment package from Gulf States, primarily Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This investment is intended to:
* Rebuild Gaza’s Infrastructure: Focus on restoring essential services like electricity,water,and healthcare.
* create Employment opportunities: Stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment
