Many leaders around the world have called for an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas in recent weeks. Following the news Wednesday morning that the Israeli government had agreed to a hostage deal, one word was on the lips of many politicians: progress.
The to us On Tuesday night, Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken said the talks represented “significant progress” but “the country will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza”.
The United KingdomForeign Secretary David Cameron described the agreement between Israel and Hamas as “an important step towards providing relief to the families of hostages and resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.
AustraliaForeign Minister Benny Wong also hailed the deal as a sign of progress.
European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen and Council of Europe President Charles Michel said he welcomed the breakthrough deal between Israel and Hamas on the release of the hostages, adding that Michel “thanks Qatar and Egypt for helping broker it.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the deal as “the first good news from Gaza in a very long time.” Russia He continued to advocate for a cease-fire and humanitarian pauses.
ChinaForeign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said he hoped the agreement would “help ease the grave humanitarian crisis, defuse the conflict and ease tensions.”
Qatar – a key negotiator – said he hoped the ceasefire would pave the way towards a long-term solution.
Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State QatarThe country’s foreign ministry said in a statement, “The country’s priority now is working towards a long-term ceasefire, ending the war and working towards lasting peace.
That sentiment resonated Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi “welcomed the success” of Egyptian-Qatar-US mediation in implementing a humanitarian ceasefire, but renewed his commitment to finding a “final and sustainable” solution.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also welcomed the hostage deal – but renewed his calls for a full ceasefire, state-run Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
Remember: Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day humanitarian truce to free at least 50 hostages. – Women and Children – Held in Gaza. The deal also includes the release of 150 Palestinians, including women and children, from Israeli prisons.
