Key mediators in a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel say that a landmark agreement has been reached to pause the 15-month war in the Gaza Strip, starting 19 January. Israel has said the deal is in its final stages. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to comment on the deal until all details and articles of the agreement are finalized. His office, in a statement, said the last details were still being ironed out, and expressed hope that it will be finalized by Thursday morning, after which, the Israeli premier will provide a formal acknowledgement of the matter. Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Netanyahu and his negotiating team for their efforts in bringing about a deal. In a televised statement, Herzog said more must be done, as he urged Netanyahu to accept the deal on the table and bring home the hostages. "I strengthen the hands of the prime minister and the negotiating team in their efforts to bring about a deal and call on the members of the cabinet and the government of Israel to accept and approve the deal that will be presented to them, and to return our daughters and sons home." Hamas has given a statement following the announcement of the agreement, saying the group "will not forgive" Israel for the suffering it has caused in Gaza and on its people during the war. "On behalf of all the victims, every drop of blood spilled and every tear of pain and oppression, we say: We will not forget and we will not forgive." Said Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas' chief negotiator. Reactions from world leaders and international organizations have been pouring in, hailing the deal, set to end 15 months of suffering in Gaza. Both US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump praised the announcement of the deal. They've both also claimed credit for making the deal possible. US President Joe Biden says the deal was "developed to negotiate" under his administration" but it will largely be implemented under Trump's incoming cabinet. Biden says though his team and Trump's were negotiating as one, the deal was thanks to months of intensive work, "my diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done". Donald Trump on the other hand took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, to praise the new deal. The incoming US president did not fail to also capitalize on the moment and claim credit for the "epic" agreement. "This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones." "We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!" added Trump. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani hailed the announcement of the deal. "We hope that the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza will contribute to ending the aggression, destruction and killing in the Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories", said Tamim in a post on X. He also expressed hope that this new deal will allow for a "new phase" in which the cause of the Palestinian people will not be marginalized. The Qatari leader says serious work must be done to resolve the decades-long conflict in a just manner, in accordance with international law. He emphasized that his country's diplomatic role as mediators in this deal was one arising from humanitarian obligation and duties, not a political one. Tamim ended by thanking Egypt and the US, who co-brokered the deal with Doha for their effort. Egyptian President Abdelfattah El-Sisi also expressed positive remarks following the announcement of the ceasefire, brokered in part by his country, alongside Qatar and the US. "With this agreement, I stress the importance of accelerating the entry of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, to confront the current catastrophic humanitarian situation, without any obstacles, until sustainable peace is achieved through the two-state solution,", said the Egyptian leader on a post on X. He also pledged his country's continued support saying, "Egypt will always remain faithful to its covenant, a supporter of just peace, a loyal partner in achieving it, and a defender of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the ceasefire agreement. In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, he said, "I welcome the announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire & hostage release in Gaza. I commend the mediators — Egypt, Qatar & the USA — for their dedicated efforts in brokering this deal." The UN chief also added urged everyone involved to ensure the deal is fully implemented and uphold their commitments. He also noted that he hopes this deal will be an opportunity for all parties involved to "establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region". European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also weighed in on the matter. "I warmly welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza," said von der Leyen on X. "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," added the EU Commission chief. Von der Leyen also urged both parties, Israel and Hamas, to respect this agreement and implement it fully without fail. The EU leader also expressed hope that the deal will be used as a "stepping stone towards lasting stability in the region", citing a need to find a diplomatic solution to the decades-long conflict. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the announcement. The German leader, who is in the middle of preparing for his country's upcoming election, took to X to urge Israel and Hamas to ensure the implementation of the deal and its terms "to the letter". He added that now that the deal is agreed upon, all hostages held under Hamas captivity in Gaza must be released and remains of the deceased must be handed over to their families for a "dignified burial". "The ceasefire opens the door to a permanent end to the war and to the improvement of the poor humanitarian situation in Gaza", added Scholz, noting that Germany is continuing to "work towards" achieving this goal. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a statement shortly after Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani announced the deal. The British premier said, "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". "The hostages who were brutally ripped from their homes on that day [7 October 2023] and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since, can now finally return to their families. But we should also use this moment to pay tribute to those who won't make it home", said Starmer in a statement. Starmer also expressed sympathy for the innocent Palestinians "whose homes turned into a warzone overnight" and have endured unspeakable suffering since. "This ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza. "Our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people", noted Starmer as he proceeded to cite the need to achieve a two-state solution that will "guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state". Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the ceasefire agreement. The Spanish premier stressed that this positive development must put an end to the conflict and immediately allow humanitarian aid to relieve the countless Palestinians in dire need of basic goods and assistance. Sánchez also noted that all the hostages held in Gaza must be securely released, noting that this deal is a crucial and indispensable step on the path towards permanent peace, in a two-state solution. The Spanish leader also expressed his gratitude to all of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, for their commitment and "tireless work" as mediators who made the deal possible. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the deal reached between Israel and Hamas. "We hope that the agreement will be beneficial for our region and all of humanity, especially our Palestinian brothers, and that it will open the door to lasting peace and stability," said Erdoğan on a post on X. "As Türkiye, we have never left our Palestinian brothers alone for a moment in their struggle against oppression and tyranny." "God willing, we will continue to stand by the people of Gaza and use all our resources to help Gaza heal its wounds and get back on its feet." International organizations have also expressed their relief following the announcement of the ceasefire agreement. The war on Gaza has caused one of the largest humanitarian catastrophes in the world. The UN, and organizations such as Oxfam and Amnesty International have long criticized Israel for its war conduct and accused it of manufacturing a humanitarian crisis. The UN has previously reported that its research indicated that some 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.1 million population had been displaced, some numerous times in the 15 months of fighting. They've also stated that more than one million people across Gaza are at risk of starvation, and rely on food handouts, which can sometimes not be guaranteed. Oxfam welcomed the announcement of the much-anticipated ceasefire in Gaza. In a statement, Sally Abi Khalil, the group's Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, said, "Oxfam welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire, with the initial agreement on the release of Israeli hostages and some of the Palestinian detainees, and the temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of a relentless war." "Israel has waged terrible collective punishment upon Palestinians in Gaza including crimes against humanity – using food and water as weapons of war, forcibly displacing virtually the entire population, besieging North Gaza and rendering Gaza virtually unliveable," continued Khalil. "Thousands of Palestinians have been unlawfully detained and tortured without due process. These actions must not go unanswered - international law and norms must be applied universally, including to Israel, who must be held to account for its war crimes, to ensure justice for victims and deter future violations" added the Oxfam MENA Regional Director. Amnesty International have also commented on the new Gaza deal saying "the news that a ceasefire deal has been reached will bring some glimmer of relief to Palestinian victims of Israel's genocide. But it is bitterly overdue". The group noted that Palestinians have endured more than 15 months of relentless Israeli bombardment that has destroyed entire communities and residences to rubble, noting that a simple cessation in bomb fire will not end their nightmare. "For Palestinians who have lost countless loved ones; in many cases had their entire families wiped out or seen their homes reduced to rubble, an end to the fighting does not begin to repair their shattered lives or heal their trauma." The humanitarian group says that until the root causes of the conflict are addressed, Palestinians and Israelis "cannot even begin to hope for a brighter future built on rights, equality and justice." Amnesty says Israel must dismantle its brutal apartheid systems that it imposes to dominate and oppress Palestinians and end its unlawful occupation of the occupied territories. Only then will Palestinians truly have a reason to celebrate. — Euronews
