‘Long-overdue’: World leaders react to Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Anthony Albanese has joined British PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in calling for a ‘permanent, political solution’ in Gaza, and an influx of aid.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined British PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in calling for a ‘permanent, political solution’ in Gaza, and an influx of aid after Israel and Hamas agreed on a 42-day ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza .
The deal, set to begin on Sunday, has raised cautious hopes for an end to 15 months of devastating conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, left much of Gaza in ruins, and seen more than 250 Israeli hostages taken, with 33 set to be released in the first stage of the deal.
Mr Albanese on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire, calling it a “constructive step towards peace and stability in the region.”
“Today must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian ,” Mr Albanese told reporters.
“We hope it will allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild, reform their governance which is most necessary to pursue self-determination.”
In an earlier joint statement,Mr Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong described the deal as “a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region”.
In their statement, they urged all parties to “respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace”, stressing the importance of ensuring “the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza”.
They also reiterated Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution, highlighting the need for Palestinian self-determination while condemning Hamas’ atrocities.
“Our thoughts are with all the civilians killed, displaced and taken hostage in this conflict, and the many humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of others.”
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who is in Israel this week in a high-stakes bid to repair Canberra’s relationship with its closest Middle East ally, posted a photo on social media of himself meeting families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.
“Today I met with Ella and Daniel in Tel Aviv. Both had family members taken as hostages by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023. 467 days later they speak for all of us when they demand the return of all hostages to their families. The ceasefire must make that a reality,” he wrote on X.
Today I met with Ella and Daniel in Tel Aviv. Both had family members taken as hostages by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023. 467 days later they speak for all of us when they demand the return of all hostages to their families. The ceasefire must make that a reality. pic.twitter.com/fT5Wcm7mub
— Mark Dreyfus (@MarkDreyfusKCMP) January 15, 2025
At a news conference, US President Joe Biden explained that the deal incorporated elements of the three-phase framework he outlined in May 2024.
He stated that the first phase, set to last six weeks, includes a “full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas”.
In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
“I’m proud to say Americans will be part of that hostage release on phase one,” Biden said. “Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families.”
The ceasefire – which still requires formal ratification by the Israeli cabinet – is expected to involve the IDF withdrawing from populated areas in Gaza’s east during the first phase, according to Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, one of the mediators.
Al Thani noted that 33 hostages would be released over the 42 days, although the exact number of Palestinian prisoners to be freed remains unclear.
Reaction to the announcement was swift and varied across the international community.
President-elect Donald Trump announced the deal on his Truth Social platform before it was made official: “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”
In a subsequent post, he added, “With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reflected on the toll of the conflict. “After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for,” he said.
“For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza. And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people – grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said that a 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.
In Europe, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed relief, stating, “after too many months of conflict, we feel tremendous relief for the hostages, for their families and for the people of Gaza. Let’s hope this ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustained peace. Belgium stands ready to help.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasised the importance of strengthening Palestinian institutions as a step toward peace.
“The Palestinian institutions must be strengthened and prepared to assume full control and responsibility, including in Gaza. Both Israel and Palestine must receive credible security guarantees, and the solution must be anchored regionally,” he said.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed a ceasefire deal, stressing that the “priority now must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict”.
“The United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” he told reporters.
The European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal as a turning point.
“I warmly welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza. 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 parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
In a statement, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office wrote: “The ceasefire provides an important opportunity to substantially increase humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza.
“Italy is ready to play its part, together with its European and international partners, for the stabilisation and reconstruction of Gaza and to permanently consolidate the cessation of hostilities, also with a view to relaunching a political process towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution, with Israel and a State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security, within mutually recognised borders.”
Leaders in the Middle East also voiced their support. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, writing on X, stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Egypt will always remain true to its commitments, a supporter of just peace, a loyal partner in achieving it, and a defender of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” he wrote.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, meanwhile, underscored the deal’s significance for regional stability and reiterated Turkey’s commitment to a two-state solution.