CAPITALS, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)World leaders have widely welcomed Hamas’s response to US president Donald Trump’s peace plan, urging all sides to move quickly toward a permanent ceasefire to end the genocide that has ravaged Gaza for nearly two years.
In a statement on Friday, Hamas confirmed its approval to release all captives, both living and deceased, under the terms of the plan proposed by president Trump earlier this week. The Movement also expressed its “immediate readiness” to enter indirect negotiations through mediators to discuss implementation details.
Hamas reiterated its acceptance of transferring Gaza’s administration to a nonpartisan Palestinian authority formed by national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic support.
President Trump welcomed Hamas’s response, saying he was “looking forward to the hostages returning to their families,” adding, “This is a truly remarkable day, perhaps unprecedented in many ways.”
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described Hamas’s response as “a constructive and important step” toward lasting peace. He urged Israel to “immediately halt all its attacks and commit to the ceasefire plan.”
Erdoğan called for urgent steps to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and establish permanent peace, stressing, “This genocide must end now, and this disgraceful scene that wounds the world’s conscience must stop.”
The Turkish president reaffirmed his commitment to “ensuring that the talks conclude in the best possible way for the Palestinian people and that the two-state solution is realized.”
French president Emmanuel Macron said that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach,” adding that “Hamas’s commitment must be implemented without delay. We now have a real opportunity to make decisive progress toward peace.”
British prime minister Keir Starmer called Hamas’s acceptance of the US peace plan “an important step forward,” urging all parties to implement the agreement without delay. He said there is “a chance to end the fighting, return the Israeli captives, and deliver humanitarian aid to those in desperate need,” noting that “the region is closer to peace than ever before.”
German chancellor Friedrich Merz described Hamas’s acceptance of the US proposal as “the best chance for peace in Gaza.” Writing on X, he said, “The release of hostages and peace for Gaza are within reach. Hostages must be freed. Hamas must disarm. The fighting must stop immediately. All this must happen quickly. After nearly two years, this is the best chance for peace. Germany will remain engaged.”
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said that “the priority for everyone now must be achieving a ceasefire leading to the immediate release of all hostages.”
UN secretary-general António Guterres expressed his relief at Hamas’s response, urging all parties to seize this opportunity to end the war in Gaza.
Irish prime minister Michael Martin said he “hopes Hamas’s announcement of approval for Trump’s plan will pave the way for an immediate ceasefire and an increased flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese welcomed “the progress in president Donald Trump’s plan to establish peace in Gaza,” adding that Australia will continue to support efforts to end the war and pursue a just and sustainable two-state solution.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney also welcomed Hamas’s commitments “to relinquish power and release all hostages,” calling on “all parties to fulfill their commitments and strengthen peace and security in the region.”
