People celebrate along a street in Khan Younis in Gaza (Credit: AFP)
World leaders praise ceasefire deal
Arab and international leaders welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli Occupation.
In Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed optimism on X that the agreement would help end violence and destruction in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. He urged a just resolution to the Palestinian cause and highlighted Qatar's diplomatic role as a humanitarian obligation above all.
The Emir commended Egypt and the US for their role in brokering the agreement.
نأمل أن يُسهم إعلان اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار في غزة في إنهاء العدوان والتدمير والقتل في القطاع والأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة، وبدء مرحلة جديدة لا يتم فيها تهميش هذه القضية العادلة، والعمل الجاد على حلها حلاً عادلاً وفق قرارات الشرعية الدولية. الدور الدبلوماسي لدولة قطر في الوصول لهذا…
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) January 15, 2025
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hailed the deal as the culmination of over a year of dedicated Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediation. He called for the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering support for Palestinian rights and fair peace.
أرحب بالتوصل إلى اتفاق لوقف إطلاق النار في قطاع غزة بعد جهود مضنية على مدار أكثر من عام بوساطة مصرية قطرية أمريكية.
— Abdelfattah Elsisi (@AlsisiOfficial) January 15, 2025
ومع هذا الاتفاق، أؤكد على أهمية الإسراع في إدخال المساعدات الإنسانية العاجلة لأهل غزة، لمواجهة الوضع الإنساني الكارثي الراهن، وذلك دون أي عراقيل، لحين تحقق السلام…
The UAE's Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, welcomed the agreement, which included provisions for the release of captives and detainees. He stressed the need to uphold the agreement's terms and urged the international community to renew efforts toward a sustainable peace process that guarantees Palestinian rights.
Saudi Arabia joined in welcoming the ceasefire, calling for an end to Israeli Occupation aggression in Gaza. A statement from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed hope that the agreement would restore stability and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
Lebanon's former Prime Minister Najib Mikati voiced hope for the ceasefire's sustainability and called on the Israeli Occupation to comply with terms that could lead to a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue.
ان هذا الاعلان ينهي صفحة دموية من تاريخ الشعب الفلسطيني الذي عانى الكثير جراء العدوان الاسرائيلي. وكل الامل في ان يكون وقف اطلاق النار مستداما وان تلتزم به اسرائيل، ليصار تاليا الى ايجاد حل نهائي للقضية الفلسطينية واعطاء الفلسطينيين حقوقهم المشروعة.
— Najib Mikati (@Najib_Mikati) January 15, 2025
The speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, described the agreement as a crucial step toward de-escalation, lauding Egypt and Qatar’s efforts in securing the truce.
Iraq also welcomed the ceasefire and stressed the importance of immediately delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its support for the Palestinian right to self-determination and praised the collaborative efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the US in brokering the agreement.
- International responses -
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, emphasizing the urgent need to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis.
I welcome the announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire & hostage release in Gaza.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) January 15, 2025
I commend the mediators — Egypt, Qatar & the USA — for their dedicated efforts in brokering this deal.
I call on all to uphold their commitments & ensure that this deal is fully implemented.…
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the agreement as a source of hope for the region, calling for strict adherence to its terms.
I warmly welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 15, 2025
Hostages will be reunited with their loved ones and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza.
This brings hope to an entire region, where people have endured immense suffering for far too long.
Both…
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the deal, stressing the importance of pursuing a long-term political solution to the aggression.
Filistin Direniş Hareketi HAMAS ile İsrail arasındaki ateşkes görüşmelerinin anlaşmayla sonuçlanmasını memnuniyetle karşılıyoruz.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) January 15, 2025
Anlaşmanın, Filistinli kardeşlerimiz başta olmak üzere bölgemiz ve tüm insanlık için hayırlara vesile olmasını, kalıcı barış ve istikrara kapı…
Après quinze mois de calvaire injustifiable, soulagement immense pour les Gazaouis, espoir pour les otages et leurs familles. Ce soir, mes pensées vont à Ofer et Ohad.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 15, 2025
L'accord doit être respecté. Les otages, libérés. Les Gazaouis, secourus. Une solution politique doit advenir.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed hope that the ceasefire would put an end to the violence and suffering in Gaza.
In diesen Stunden gibt es Hoffnung, dass die Geiseln endlich freikommen und das Sterben in Gaza ein Ende findet. Alle, die Verantwortung tragen, sollten jetzt dafür sorgen, dass diese Chance genutzt wird.
— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) January 15, 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the agreement, calling it a long-overdue resolution.
In his statement, Starmer emphasized the importance of alleviating the suffering on both sides and expressed relief at the safe return of captives to their families. He also extended condolences to the victims, including British nationals who lost their lives during the aggression.
My statement on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/eLbgaTr4dP
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 15, 2025
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), echoed these sentiments, stating that “peace is the best medicine” and underscoring the need for swift and unhindered aid delivery to Gaza.
Peace is the best medicine!
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 15, 2025
The #Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal is welcome and encouraging. Too many lives have been lost and too many families have suffered. We hope all parties will respect the deal and work towards lasting peace.
Health needs in Gaza remain…
