Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
World leaders issued an outpouring of praise on Thursday following the announcement of a landmark ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal marks the first concrete step toward ending more than two years of war that has devastated the Gaza Strip and left the region in a protracted state of crisis.
The first phase of the agreement, now underway, includes the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the anticipated release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. In return, Israel is expected to release a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners estimated at up to 2,000 in the coming days.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that the ceasefire officially began Thursday, hours after Trump publicly declared that both sides had “signed off” on the deal. The agreement follows intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations led by U.S. officials and facilitated by regional partners including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
“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 in a post on social media. “All parties will be treated fairly.”
International Praise and Political Recognition
The international reaction to the agreement was swift and largely positive, with many world leaders commending Trump personally for his role in securing the breakthrough.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the news, describing the moment as one of “profound relief.”
“This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years,” Starmer said in a statement.
Similar sentiments were echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. All credited Trump’s leadership while urging both sides to fully honor the terms of the agreement.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his appreciation directly, stating, “I wish to extend my deepest thanks to POTUS Donald Trump for his incredible leadership toward securing the release of the hostages, bringing an end to the war, and creating hope for a new reality in the Middle East. There is no doubt that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this.”
Herzog added that should Trump visit Israel in the near future, he would be welcomed “with immense respect, affection, and gratitude by the people of Israel.”
In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority which governed the Gaza Strip before being violently ousted by Hamas in 2007, also welcomed the deal. President Mahmoud Abbas called it a “prelude to reaching a permanent political solution,” and praised the mediation efforts led by the Trump administration.
“The State of Palestine is ready to work with all relevant mediators and international partners to ensure the success of this agreement,” the Authority said in a statement, adding that the ultimate goal must remain a just and lasting peace in accordance with international law.
Details of the Agreement Remain Emerging
While the broad outlines of the ceasefire are known, key details remain closely guarded. The initial phase reportedly involves Israel withdrawing to a “yellow line” within Gaza a demarcation laid out in a ceasefire map previously released by the White House.
According to Israeli officials, once the deal is ratified, expected by the end of Thursday the Israel Defense Forces will have 24 hours to reposition their troops. A 72-hour window will then begin for Hamas to release all hostages, including the remains of any deceased individuals. The mass release is tentatively expected to occur by Sunday or Monday.
White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner were in Egypt for the final stage of talks earlier this week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in Washington, reportedly interrupted a policy meeting to notify Trump that an agreement was imminent.
Back in the U.S., political allies of Trump were quick to highlight the deal as a major diplomatic victory. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it “a truly historic achievement,” and several lawmakers called for international recognition of Trump’s role, including potential nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Religious and Humanitarian Groups Respond
Beyond political circles, religious leaders and humanitarian organizations also welcomed the ceasefire as a much-needed step toward peace.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, issued a statement of support, describing the deal as “good news” and “a first step.”
“Of course, there are many others, and surely there will be other obstacles,” he added. “But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring new hope, especially to the people both Israeli and Palestinian.”
The United Nations also pledged support for implementing the agreement and aiding recovery efforts in Gaza. Secretary-General Guterres said the UN would scale up humanitarian relief and back long-term reconstruction initiatives.
“This is a desperately needed breakthrough,” Guterres said on social media. “The UN will support the full implementation of the agreement and will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.”
A Path Forward?
European Council President Antonio Costa described the deal as a “foundation for a lasting peace, grounded in a two-state solution,” and emphasized the need for sustained international cooperation to ensure that the agreement leads to meaningful change.
“Its implementation paves the way for the long-awaited release of all Israeli hostages, a ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to the severe humanitarian crisis on the ground,” Costa said.
Although major challenges remain from the governance of Gaza to the eventual status of Hamas, the global reaction suggests cautious optimism. With hostilities now paused, the burden shifts to political and civil leaders on both sides to uphold the agreement and push for a longer-term resolution.
Whether the Trump-brokered ceasefire will serve as a turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is yet to be seen. But after years of bloodshed and failed diplomacy, this moment however fragile, has offered a glimpse of what many hope could be a different future.
