World hails Gaza ceasefire deal as ‘historic breakthrough’
Global leaders from every continent praise the truce as a rare step toward ending the Gaza war and easing humanitarian suffering
WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) — A sweeping wave of international support followed the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, marking what observers are calling a landmark diplomatic breakthrough in the long-running Gaza conflict.
The agreement, finalized in Sharm el-Sheikh after marathon talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye, and the United States, sets out a framework for the release of hostages and prisoners, Israeli troop withdrawals, and the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid into Gaza.
While the finer details remain under negotiation, the deal’s announcement has been met with cautious optimism across global capitals.
Trump, Netanyahu hail “historic breakthrough”
Trump described the accord as “a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, and the United States,” celebrating it as the first major implementation phase of his peace plan. He said all hostages would soon be released, and that the agreement would usher in “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the development “a big day for Israel,” thanking Trump and his team for their efforts and pledging to convene the Cabinet to approve the deal.
“We will bring all our dear hostages home,” Netanyahu said. However, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich opposed the truce, insisting Israel must not allow Hamas to survive politically or militarily. “The state of Israel will continue to strive for the true eradication of Hamas,” he said.
From Gaza, Hamas confirmed the agreement and thanked the mediating nations for their role in achieving what it called “a real opportunity for peace.”
The group urged international guarantors to ensure Israel fulfills its commitments, stressing that the sacrifices of Palestinians “will not be in vain.”
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the ceasefire as a step toward restoring calm and restarting talks for a two-state solution.
Global leaders praise deal, urge lasting peace
In a joint statement, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye hailed the deal as a “significant breakthrough” that could end the bloodshed and pave the way for the return of captives and humanitarian access.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called the moment “historic,” saying it “opens the door of hope for justice and stability.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commended Trump’s role in pushing the talks forward and pledged that Turkiye would monitor implementation closely to ensure compliance.
The agreement also drew a strong response from Saudi Arabia, which expressed hope that the plan would ease humanitarian suffering and revive efforts toward “a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.”
The United Arab Emirates urged both parties to honor their commitments to secure stability and prevent further loss of life.
Across Europe, leaders voiced both relief and caution. French President Emmanuel Macron called for the ceasefire to “mark the beginning of a genuine political solution,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as “a moment of profound relief that must bring immediate aid to the people of Gaza.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the deal offers “the first real prospect of peace after years of despair,” and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged that the agreement be followed by “justice, reconstruction, and lasting reconciliation.”
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas hailed the accord as “a major diplomatic accomplishment,” promising EU support for its implementation.
Beyond Europe, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the deal as “a step toward lasting peace and dignity for all,” while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “a ray of light after years of conflict.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the truce “must be followed by sustained dialogue” and the protection of civilian lives.
In Russia, a Kremlin spokesperson affirmed Moscow’s backing, describing the deal as “an important first step toward stabilizing the region.”
At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres called the ceasefire a “momentous opportunity” and appealed to all sides to implement it without delay. “The suffering must end,” he said, pledging UN support for humanitarian operations and reconstruction in Gaza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) echoed that message, saying it stood ready to expand medical missions in the enclave, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarking that “the best medicine is peace.”
In South Asia, Pakistan issued a cautiously supportive statement. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that Islamabad had not endorsed Trump’s 20-point plan in its original form, saying it differed from the proposals drafted by Muslim nations.
However, he acknowledged that Pakistan welcomed the ceasefire itself, calling it “a historic opportunity to end the genocide in Gaza.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the mediating countries — Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye — for their roles in achieving the agreement, while reiterating Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.” Islamabad emphasized that “peace must rest on justice and self-determination.”
From Africa to Latin America, leaders echoed similar sentiments. South Africa’s presidency described the deal as “an overdue but essential step toward ending collective punishment,” while Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed hope that “dialogue will replace destruction.”
Despite the broad applause, analysts warn that implementation will be fraught with challenges. Questions remain over the sequencing of prisoner releases, verification of troop withdrawals, and mechanisms to enforce compliance.
Still, diplomats say the accord represents the most substantive progress toward peace since the outbreak of the Gaza war.
For now, the world’s attention turns to how both sides carry out the first phase — one that could determine whether this fragile truce becomes the foundation of a lasting settlement or another fleeting pause in a decades-long conflict.
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