October 9, 2025
Edited October 12, 2025, to add a comment from Pope Leo XIV.
After negotiators meeting in Egypt reached agreement October 8, 2025, on the first phase of the 20-point U.S. plan to end the Gaza war and rehabilitate the coastal enclave, the following statements were issued by leaders of some of the key countries involved and interested observers. Noteworthy is that amid the praise for President Donald Trump, the relief at the pending release of hostages and improved aid deliveries, and the hope for a peaceful future, only two of these 13 leaders even mentioned Hamas: Trump himself and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, neither with anything other than recognition that the terrorist group was a party to the negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump (on Truth Social): “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (press release): “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel. From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved. Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point. I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages. God Bless Israel. God Bless America. God Bless our great alliance.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog (press release): “This is a morning of historic and momentous news. I give my full support for the agreement reached in Egypt. I express my thanks to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the negotiating team, the mediators, and all those involved in this vital effort. I wish to extend my deepest thanks to President Donald Trump for his incredible leadership toward securing the release of the hostages, bringing an end to the war, and creating hope for a new reality in the Middle East. There is no doubt that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this. Should he visit us in the coming days, he will be received with immense respect, affection, and gratitude by the people of Israel. 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 mend, to heal, and to open a new horizon of hope for our region. This is a time to honor the heroes among us: our sons and daughters who fought bravely to bring the hostages home; the bereaved families; the wounded in body and spirit; and all who have paid an unbearable price for this historic and vital moment. ‘And they shall return from the land of the enemy … and children shall return to their own border.’ With God’s help. Am Yisrael Chai.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (via PA U.N. Mission on X): “President Mahmoud Abbas today welcomed the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of an agreement to cease war on the Gaza Strip, withdraw of Israeli occupation forces, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and facilitate a prisoner exchange. President Abbas expressed hope that these efforts would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution, as announced by President Trump, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“He also commended President Trump and all mediators for their significant efforts in reaching the agreement, affirming the State of Palestine’s readiness to work with relevant mediators and international partners to ensure its success, in order to achieve stability and a lasting and just peace in accordance with international law. The President stressed the need for all parties to commit to the immediate implementation of the agreement, including the release of all hostages and prisoners, the entry of urgent humanitarian aid through United Nations organizations, the prevention of displacement or annexation, and the commencement of the reconstruction process.
“He further reminded the international community of its responsibility to compel Israel to halt all its unilateral measures that violate international law, foremost among which are halting settlement activity and settler terrorism. He called for disarming settlers, halting the hate speech practiced by this extremist government against the Palestinian people, stopping attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites. President Abbas also called for the need to halt undermining Palestinian Authority institutions through the withholding of tax revenues, the strangulation of the Palestinian economy, and the imposition of military checkpoints.
“He reiterated that sovereignty over the Gaza Strip belongs to the State of Palestine, and that the connection between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must be achieved through Palestinian laws and government institutions, through a unified Palestinian administrative committee and Palestinian security forces, within the framework of a single system and law, and with Arab and international support.”
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari (on X): “The mediators announce that tonight an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid. The details will be announced later.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (on X): “I am greatly pleased that the Hamas-Israel negotiations, conducted in Sharm El-Sheikh with contributions from Türkiye, have resulted in a ceasefire in Gaza. I extend my special thanks to U.S. President Mr. Trump, who demonstrated the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire, as well as to our brotherly countries Qatar and Egypt, which provided significant support in reaching the agreement. As Türkiye, we will closely monitor the meticulous implementation of the agreement and continue to contribute to the process. Likewise, we will continue our struggle until a Palestinian state is established, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, independent, sovereign, and possessing territorial integrity. On this occasion, I send my heartfelt greetings to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, who, despite enduring indescribable suffering for two years, living under inhumane conditions, and losing their children, mothers, fathers, relatives, and friends, have not compromised their dignified stance in the face of all these tragedies. May our Lord be the helper and supporter of our Palestinian brothers and sisters; may He grant peace to the souls of our martyrs and make their abode paradise.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (press statement): “The world is witnessing a historic moment that embodies the triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war. From Sharm El-Sheikh — the city of peace and the cradle of dialogue and understanding — an agreement is reached to establish a ceasefire and end the war in Gaza after two years of suffering and woes, in accordance with the peace plan proposed by President Trump and under the auspices of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States of America. This agreement does not only close the chapter of war; it also opens the door of hope for the peoples of the region for a future defined by justice and stability.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (on X): “We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu. We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace.”
European Union President Ursula von der Leyen (on X): “I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by @POTUS. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye in achieving this breakthrough. Am also encouraged by the support of the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Now, all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released safely. A permanent ceasefire must be established. The suffering must end. The EU will continue to support the swift and safe delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. And when the time comes, we will be ready to help with recovery and reconstruction. Today’s opportunity should be seized. It’s the opportunity to forge a credible political path toward lasting peace and security. A path firmly anchored in the two-state solution.”
French President Emmanuel Macron (on X): “Great hope for the hostages and their families, for the Palestinians in Gaza, and for the entire region. I welcome the agreement reached overnight for the release of the hostages and the ceasefire in Gaza, and I commend the efforts of President @realDonaldTrump, as well as the Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators who helped make it happen. I call on all parties to strictly uphold its terms. This agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution. France stands ready to contribute to this goal. We will discuss it this afternoon in Paris with our international partners.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón (on X): “The Government of Spain welcomes the news coming from the Middle East and trusts that this may be the beginning of a just and lasting peace. Now is the time to engage in dialogue, assist the civilian population, and look to the future. With hope. But also with justice and with memory. So that the atrocities experienced are never repeated again.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin (on X): “I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal in Gaza. I urge all sides to fully abide by this ceasefire and for the release of all hostages, and an immediate surge of humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. I commend the diplomatic efforts by the US and partners across the region and call on all sides to work towards a permanent and just peace. The war and the killing must stop.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro to a meeting of Latin American and Caribbean leaders (shared on X): “Trump has managed to distance himself a little from Netanyahu up to today, just a little bit, but it’s enough to hold out hope because if the United States army separates itself from being complicit in the genocide ordered by Netanyahu, then there is an opportunity to end the hunger and perhaps the genocide.”
Pope Leo XIV (on X): “In recent days, the agreement to begin the peace process has brought a spark of hope to the Holy Land. I encourage the parties involved to continue courageously along the path that has been set out, toward a just, lasting, and respectful Peace that honors the legitimate aspirations of both the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples. Let us ask God, the only true Peace of humanity, to heal all wounds and to help, by His grace, accomplish what now seems humanly impossible: to rediscover that the other is not an enemy, but a brother or sister to look upon, to forgive, and to offer the hope of reconciliation.”
