World leaders hail ‘historic’ Trump-Hamas peace deal
Palestinians react to first phase of ceasefire
Residents of Khan Younis, Gaza, react jubilantly to the news that Israel and Hamas have accepted the first phase of President Trump’s peace deal, celebrating in the streets. (Credit: Reuters)
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President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening in an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity that a “historic peace deal” between Israel and Hamas had been reached, hailing it as “a historic step toward peace in the Middle East.”
In the interview, Trump said “the whole world came together” to make the deal happen, crediting both “luck” and “talent.”
“So many countries you wouldn’t have thought of came together,” he said on “Hannity.” “It’s been so great for Israel, so great for Muslims, so great for Arab countries – and so great for the United States of America. It’s more than Gaza, it’s peace in the Middle East.”
Leaders around the world welcome the news and describe it as a potential turning point.
HAMAS AGREES TO TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN, ENDING 2 YEARS OF WAR IN GAZA AND RETURNING HOSTAGES
President Donald Trump receives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, DC, February 4, 2025. (Avi Ohayon (GPO) /Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be repatriated. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “From the beginning, I have been clear: we will not rest until all of our hostages return and all of our objectives are achieved.”
He thanked his “great friend and ally President Trump,” saying Israel had “reached this critical turning point.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog responded to
“This agreement will bring moments of indescribable relief to the dear families who have not slept for 733 days. This agreement offers a chance to repair, heal and open a new horizon of hope for our region,” the message read. “This is a time to honor the heroes among us: our sons and daughters who fought courageously to bring the hostages home; the grieving families; the wounded physically and spiritually; and all those who paid an unbearable price for this historic and vital moment.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the agreement would bring moments of indescribable relief to the dear families who have not slept for 733 days. (AP/Ben Curtis)
TRUMP UNVEILS 20-POINT PLAN TO ENSURE PEACE IN GAZA, INCLUDING GRANTING AMNESTY TO SOME MEMBERS OF HAMAS
At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the progress and called for rapid implementation, according to Reuters.
“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. The United Nations will support comprehensive implementation and recovery efforts. This momentous opportunity must not be lost,” said Guterres.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas is expected to release all 20 hostages alive by this weekend, and the Israeli military is expected to begin withdrawing its troops from most of Gaza as part of the initial phase.
Israelis march from Sderot toward Gaza’s northern border, calling for the reestablishment of settlements in the territory, July 30, 2025, in Israel. (Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Israeli army also released a statement on social media, welcoming “the signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages, which was signed overnight.”
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“This is a great day for peace,” Trump said. “For years they talked about peace in the Middle East. Today it is a reality.”
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, a figure that has not been independently verified.
