Israel, Hamas Peace Plan Deal Highlights: Israel approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said he was “greatly pleased” that negotiations have led to a ceasefire in Gaza. “As Türkiye, we will closely monitor the meticulous implementation of the agreement and continue to contribute to the process,” Erdogan said in a post on X.

The Turkish President thanked US President Donald Trump for encouraging “Israel toward the ceasefire”, and “brotherly countries” Qatar and Egypt for their support.

“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,” Erdogan said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

“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,” Von Der Leyen said in a post on X.

She further said that all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement and all hostages released safely. “A permanent ceasefire must be established. The suffering must end,” she said.

Von Der Leyen said the EU would “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.”

Hours after it was announced, the Israeli military said it had begun preparation for the implementation of the Gaza peace deal. According to a source cited by Reuters, the signing of the Gaza ceasefire framework is expected to take place at 0900GMT or 1200 Israel time. The source further said that the ceasefire will come into effect after both parties sign the deal.

The European Union's foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said that the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas is a “major diplomatic accomplishment”, Reuters reported. Kallas said the plan was a real chance to end the war in Gaza and release all hostages.

UNICEF’s global spokesperson said that there was an “immense sense of joy” and “relief” in Gaza, hours after Trump's announcement that both Israel and Hamas had reached a peace agreement.

“No one ever thought it would get to this point – the devastation of homes, of agriculture, of education,” CNN quoted James Elder as saying. “People ask, do Palestinians have hope? Yes, they have hope! They have hope because it’s the one thing they have agency over,” the UN agency spokesperson said.

UN's humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher responded to the Gaza peace deal, urging all parties to release the hostages and send humanitarian relief to the region. “Great news. Let’s get the hostages out and surge aid in – fast,” Fletcher posted on X. “Our teams are fully mobilised to get the trucks moving at scale and save lives,” Fletcher added.

Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani welcomed the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. “Italy, which has always supported the U.S. plan, is ready to do its part to consolidate the ceasefire, deliver new humanitarian aid, and participate in the reconstruction of Gaza,” Tajani said. Tajani added that Italy was also ready to send troops if an international peacekeeping force is created “to reunify Palestine.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the UN will support the full implementation of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas and scale up “delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian relief” to Gaza, the Associated Press reported.

Guterres said that the UN would also “advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza”. The UN chief urged all parties to “to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.”

Israel Gaza peace plan LIVE updates: After brokering the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, US president Donald Trump is expected to visit Israel. During their emotional phone call, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu extended an invite to Trump to visit Israel, as well as address the Israeli parliament - Knesset.

Hours after Israel and Hamas agreed to the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, the Gaza civil defence reported several strikes on the territory, according to AFP.

“Since the announcement last night of an agreement on a proposed ceasefire framework in Gaza, several explosions have been reported, particularly in areas of northern Gaza,” Mohammed Al-Mughayyir, one of the agency's officials, said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday welcomed the first phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan. “This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

“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,” PM Modi said.

UK PM Keir Starmer said that the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas is a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world." He said that the agreement must be implemented in full “without delay”, and accompanied by “immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulates US President Donald Trump on his “essential leadership”, while also thanking Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for supporting negotiations.

“I am relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families. After years of intense suffering, peace finally feels attainable,” Carney said. “Canada calls on all parties to swiftly implement all agreed terms and to work towards a just and lasting peace,” he added.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreement between Israel and Hamas is “a ray of light.” “The past two years [we have seen] dark days but today we see a ray of light. There is growing international momentum to bring peace and security to the Middle East,” The Guardian quoted Albanese as saying.

US President Donald Trump said the United States “will be involved” in ensuring the success of the Gaza peace plan and in keeping peace in Gaza. “We'll be involved in helping them make it successful, and helping it stay peaceful,” Trump told Fox News. He further said he was “very confident there'll be peace in the Middle East.”

As part of the first phase of the deal, Hamas will release 20 living hostages, while Israel will reportedly release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, AFP reported quoting sources.

A source within Hamas told AFP that the exchange should take place within 72 hours of the implementation of the deal. US President Trump told Fox News that the hostages will probably be released by Monday.

For the first five days of the ceasefire, a daily minimum of 400 trucks of aid will enter the Gaza Strip, which will be increased in the following days. The deal also provides for the return of “isplaced persons from the south of the Gaza Strip to Gaza (City) and the north immediately.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he will convene the country's government tomorrow in order to approve US President Trump's peace deal for Gaza, AP reported.

“I thank President Trump and his team from the bottom of my heart for their commitment to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages,” Netanyahu said.

UNGA president Annalena Baerbock said the agreement for the Gaza peace plan comes as a “ray of hope after more than 700 days of death, destruction and despair.”

While calling for the “immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid”, Baerbock said the agreement must be fully implemented for the ending of the war in Gaza and release of hostages, the Associated Press reported.

Following the announcement of Israel and Hamas approving the Gaza peace plan, Israeli military has warned the Palestinians in Gaza from returning to north Gaza or approaching areas where troops are stationed until further notice.

“For your safety, refrain from returning north or approaching areas where (troops) are stationed or operating throughout (Gaza),” Israel’s Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned in a post on X. He said that northern Gaza is still considered a “dangerous combat zone”.

US President Donald Trump, after announcing the Gaza peace plan, said in an interview with Fox News that the hostages in Gaza will probably be released by Monday.