Countries across the world and key international organisations have welcomed the ceasefire deal between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement announced on Wednesday in Doha.
The State of Qatar, Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of Americaacted as key mediators to broker the landmark agreement which will come into force on Sunday.
United Nations secretary-general
Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres commended the dedicated mediation efforts undertaken by Qatar in cooperation with Egypt and the US, which resulted in the two parties to the conflict in Gaza reaching an agreement to exchange hostages and prisoners and to return to sustainable calm, which ultimately achieves a permanent ceasefire between the two parties.
In a statement, he stressed that the United Nations is ready to support the implementation of the agreement and expand the scope of delivering humanitarian relief to the countless numbers of Palestinians in Gaza.
“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 lifesaving humanitarian support,” he said.
He urged the international community to support all efforts aimed at achieving broader goals, including preserving the unity and integrity of the occupied Palestinian territories to achieve lasting peace and stability, stressing the importance of ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution through negotiations in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and previous agreements.
Egypt
Egypt emphasized the urgent need to implement the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement without delay, underscoring the importance of all parties adhering to its terms and meeting the specified timelines.
In a statement on Thursday, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that the agreement should lead to a significant influx in humanitarian aid across Gaza.
Egypt called on the international community to support humanitarian efforts, assist Gaza, and initiate early recovery projects as a prelude to reconstruction.
Lebanon
President of Lebanon General Joseph Aoun welcomed the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, praising the international efforts made in this regard.
In a statement issued by the Presidency Press Office, President Aoun considered that the serious commitment of the Israeli entity to the terms of the agreement requires follow-up by the sponsoring countries and the United Nations.
He noted that the Israeli entity is accustomed to evading its obligations and disavowing international resolutions, citing as evidence the attacks and violations of the ceasefire taking place in southern Lebanon.
Jordan
King Abdullah II of Jordan welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Posting on X platform, King Abdullah II said: “We welcome the Gaza ceasefire and urge the world to alleviate the tragedy by maximising the humanitarian response.”
He commended the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the US in brokering the agreement, while stressing that the ceasefire must translate into sustained humanitarian access and relief operations.
He further emphasized the urgent need to maximize humanitarian aid delivery to Palestinians facing dire conditions in the enclave.
Iran
Iran welcomed the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
According to Iran’s news agency (IRNA), Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council (Parliament), Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Iran welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, stressing the failure of the Israeli occupation to achieve its goals over the course of 15 months of its aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Pakistan
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed the announcement of the long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza.
Sharif appreciated the arduous efforts made by the deal mediators to enhance security and peace in the region, calling for full respect and implementation of the agreement.
“Pakistan reaffirms its call for a two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, i.e. the creation of an independent state of Palestine with pre-1967 boundaries and Al Quds as its capital,” Sharif posted on X.
Somalia
President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, commending the efforts made by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States of America to achieve it.
In a statement, Mohamud called for the necessity of uniting international and regional efforts to consolidate the agreement, while stressing the importance of accelerating the entry of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, to alleviate their humanitarian suffering.
He emphasized that Somalia will continue to support peace, calling for a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution.
UK
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the need for the full implementation of all phases of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to deploying all possible diplomatic efforts to secure lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Lammy underscored the importance of progressing to the second and third phases of the agreement to ensure a comprehensive and enduring ceasefire. He highlighted the UK’s intention to play a pivotal role in humanitarian initiatives and in facilitating reconstruction efforts in Gaza, ultimately aiming for a two-state solution that fosters broader peace between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
Japan
Japan considered the ceasefire agreement in Gaza a crucial step towards improving the humanitarian situation in the Strip and easing tensions in the Middle East region.
Japanese government spokesman, Hayashi Yoshimasa confirmed in a statement that his country will remain in close contact with relevant countries and institutions, and actively participate in international efforts to improve the humanitarian situation, reconstruction and governance in Gaza, noting the efforts of all parties that worked to achieve the agreement, and urging all parties to adhere to it.
He also reaffirmed Japan’s diplomatic efforts to achieve a two-state solution in order to achieve long-term peace and stability.
EU
The European Union welcomed the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, considering it a positive step toward ending the violence in the Middle East.
In a post on her official X account, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas welcomed the ceasefire agreement, saying: “I welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement.”
“This is a major, positive breakthrough towards ending the violence,” she said. “It is now time to deliver this agreement for all hostages and their families, the people of Gaza, and the people of the region,” she added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the deal’s contribution to providing much-needed hope to the Middle East.
Posting on X platform, Von der Leyen wrote “the humanitarian situation remains grim in Gaza,” noting that “Europe will channel 120 million euros of aid in 2025, alongside tonnes of in-kind aid, to keep supporting Palestinians.”
“The ceasefire and hostage release agreement offers hope the region desperately needed,” she said stressing the need for both sides to fully implement the agreement as a step towards achieving permanent stability in the region and resolving the conflict through diplomatic means.
Italy
Italy considered the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip an important step towards peace.
“We need to strengthen the ceasefire and move forward with the next stages of the agreement,” Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in remarks, noting that he will visit the region to encourage and facilitate the peace process, as Italy will offer its contribution to building peace in the Middle East.
Germany
Germany on Thursday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The most important thing now is the release of the hostages and the arrival of humanitarian aid to Gaza, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated stressing the need for everyone to shoulder their responsibility for ensuring that this opportunity is seized.
She explained that Europeans can provide assistance in bringing humanitarian aid into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. She pointing that the European Union can provide support to the Palestinians through Rafah crossing despite the damages it has sustained.
Algeria voiced Thursday its satisfaction with the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
Algeria
In a statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry said that Algeria received with satisfaction the announcement of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which is a long-awaited agreement to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and lift the injustice imposed on them in light of the war of extermination to which they have been subjected by the Israeli occupation for more than fifteen months.
The Ministry voiced Algeria’s appreciation for the strenuous efforts made by the mediators, stressing at the same time the need to implement this agreement in its various contents and dimensions, especially those related to activating the comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, lifting all restrictions imposed on humanitarian relief efforts directed at the Palestinian people, as well as the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from its lands.
Malaysia
Malaysia has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, describing it as “a vital first step towards ending the 15-month-long conflict in Gaza.”
The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the ceasefire agreement a much-needed development in the wake of the massive loss of life, immense suffering of the Palestinians and the devastation that has occurred in Gaza. The Ministry also praised the role of Qatar, Egypt and the US in reaching the agreement.
