Paris, France — Nations around the globe welcomed on Wednesday the announcement that Israel and Hamas reached a deal to free hostages and pause ferocious fighting and bombardment in Gaza.
More than 14,000 people, mainly children and women, have been killed in relentless Israeli bombing after Hamas attacked Israeli areas on Oct 7, killing more than 1,200 in Israel, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
Here are some key reactions to the agreement:
‘Extraordinarily gratified
US President Joe Biden thanked the leaders of Qatar and Egypt for their “critical leadership” in reaching the deal.
“I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls… will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” Biden said, referring to the hostages.
‘Important step in the right direction’
“This is an important step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done,” UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said.
Guterres said the UN would provide support for the implementation of the agreement.
Crucial step’
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called the deal a “a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
‘Vital aid’
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the “breakthrough” agreement “must be used to bring vital aid to people in Gaza.”
‘De-escalate conflict’
Beijing hoped “that it will help ease the plight of the humanitarian crisis, de-escalate the conflict and ease tensions”, said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
‘First good news’
The Kremlin called the deal “the first good news from Gaza in a very long time”, noting “it is only on the basis of these kinds of pauses that some outlines of future attempts at a sustainable settlement can be built.”
‘Sustainable solutions’
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the deal and noted “the continuation of the Egyptian efforts to reach final and sustainable solutions… to guarantee the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”