The announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday prompted strong international reactions, with leaders from various countries emphasizing the importance of ensuring long-term peace and security in the region.
United States
President Joe Biden announced he was "thrilled" that hostages would be freed under a deal between Israel and Hamas and credited "dogged and painstaking" US diplomacy for reaching the accord.
"This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," Biden said in a statement.
Incoming US president Donald Trump vowed to prevent Gaza from becoming a "terrorist haven" after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced.
Trump said on his Truth Social network that his White House would "continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist haven."
European Union
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Hamas and Israel, urging them to "fully implement" the deal.
"Both parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict," she posted on X.
EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica hailed the ceasefire deal, saying the bloc "remains committed to supporting all efforts towards a long-lasting peace and recovery".
"I welcome the ceasefire agreement and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which will bring much-needed relief to those affected by the devastating conflict," Suica posted on X.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the ceasefire deal must be followed by a "political solution" to end the conflict in Gaza.
"The agreement must be respected. The hostages freed. Gazans aided. A political solution must happen," Macron posted on X.
Germany
Following the announcement of the deal, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on all sides to "seize" the opportunity before them.
"In these hours there is hope that the hostages will finally be released and the deaths in Gaza will end. All those in positions of responsibility should now ensure that this opportunity is seized," Baerbock said on social media.
Italy
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that a deal on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza was an "important step towards peace".
He described the agreement between Hamas and Israel as "excellent news", adding that now "we need to consolidate this ceasefire, move forward with the next steps".
United Nations
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was "imperative" the newly struck Gaza ceasefire removes obstacles to aid deliveries as he welcomed the deal that includes a prisoner and hostage exchange.
"It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support a major increase in urgent life-saving humanitarian support," he said.
Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pointed to the "importance of accelerating the entry of urgent humanitarian aid" into Gaza as he welcomed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Sisi, whose country neighbours Gaza and whose government helped negotiate the truce, said the deal came after "strenuous efforts over more than a year of Egyptian, Qatari and US mediation".
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday welcomed news of a ceasefire deal for Gaza between Israel and Hamas, saying it "is crucial to achieving regional stability".
"It represents an indispensable step on the path towards a two-state solution and a just peace that respects international law," he wrote on X.
He added that the deal "should put an end to the conflict, allow for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza to be addressed and for the release of all hostages."
Turkey
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that his country hoped for a "lasting peace" in Gaza after the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.
"We hope this agreement will be beneficial for our region and for all humanity, particularly for our Palestinian brothers, and that it will open the way to lasting peace and stability," Erdogan said on X.
Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a televised statement that a ceasefire and hostage-release deal announced between Israel and Hamas was the "right move" to bring all the captives home.
"As the president of the state of Israel, I say in the clearest terms: This is the right move. This is an important move. This is a necessary move. There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us -- whether to recover at home, or to be laid to rest," said Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial.
Hamas
Palestinian militant group Hamas said its ceasefire deal with Israel to halt the war in Gaza was the result of the "steadfastness" of the Palestinian people and its own "resistance".
"The ceasefire agreement is a result of the legendary steadfastness of our great Palestinian people and our valiant resistance in the Gaza Strip for over 15 months," the group said, adding that it paved "the way toward the realisation of our people's aspirations for liberation and return".
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