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World leaders react to ceasefire-hostage deal

REUTERS
Thursday, Jan 16, 2025

GAZA STRIP: Negotiators reached a phased ceasefire deal on Wednesday in the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Here is some reaction to the deal.

US President Joe Biden

“I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said at the White House.

“Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families.”

US President-elect Donald Trump

“We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!” he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“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,” Trump said in a second post.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

“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.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

He told reporters in Ankara the ceasefire deal was an important step for regional stability. Fidan also said Turkish efforts for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would continue.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi

He welcomed the Gaza ceasefire deal, according to a post on X, and stressed the importance of a fast delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.