Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day truce brokered by Qatar that will see the release of 50 women and children held captive in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.
The deal was announced on Wednesday and the start time is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, according to a Qatar statement.
The deal also includes humanitarian aid that Gaza’s population desperately needs after weeks of relentless Israeli attacks that have killed more than 14,100 people, including 5,600 children, and forced around 1.7 million people from their homes. homes.
Around 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Here are some reactions to the announcement:
European Union
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
Von der Leyen welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on the release of 50 captives and a pause in hostilities in Gaza.
“The European Commission will do everything possible to take advantage of this pause to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza,” it said in a statement.
France
Catherine Colonna, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said: “We hope that there will be French people among the first batch of hostages released. »
Human Rights Watch
Omar Shakir, Director Israel and Palestine
“After the mass atrocities of recent weeks, today’s agreement is welcome.
“Hostage-taking and blocking vital aid are war crimes that can never be justified. Human beings are not bargaining chips. Ceasefire or not, illegal attacks must stop once and for all. »
Iran
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian
Iran announced that Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian will begin a regional tour, starting in Lebanon, following the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“The visit is part of Iran’s diplomatic efforts to end the Zionist regime’s attacks on Gaza, lift the blockade and send humanitarian aid to the oppressed population of Gaza,” reported Nournews affiliate agency to Iran’s top security body..
Palestine
Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary of the PLO Executive Committee
“President Mahmoud Abbas and the leaders welcome the humanitarian truce agreement and appreciate the Egyptian (and) Qatari efforts that have been made.”
The PLO statement calls for “a complete cessation of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people” and reiterates the need for “humanitarian assistance and the implementation of a political solution based on international legitimacy that leads to the end of the occupation and the realization of the freedom, independence and sovereignty of the Palestinian people.”
Qatar
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister
Sheikh Mohammed wrote on global and fair.
We thank our partners who helped reach the humanitarian pause agreement in Gaza, particularly the United States and Egypt. We hope that it will establish a comprehensive and lasting agreement that will end the war and the bloodshed, and lead to serious negotiations for a…
– محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) November 22, 2023
United Kingdom
David Cameron, Foreign Secretary
Cameron said the ceasefire agreement was “a crucial step towards helping the families of the hostages and resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
“I urge all parties to ensure that the agreement is fully respected,” Cameron said.
UNITED STATES
President Joe Biden
Biden welcomed the agreement and thanked Qatar and Egypt for their efforts to close the deal.
“Jill and I have held all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extremely happy that some of these brave souls, who endured weeks of captivity and indescribable ordeal, are reunited with their families once this agreement is fully implemented,” he said in a statement.
He stressed that it must be “completed in its entirety” and that it was “important that all aspects of this agreement are fully implemented.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Blinken, responding to Biden’s statement on X, praised the United States’ role in the deal.
“Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and relentless efforts across the U.S. government,” he said.
“While this agreement marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza. »
Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and relentless efforts on the part of the U.S. government. Although this agreement marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza.
– Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 22, 2023
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
Schumer, who leads the US Senate, said he was “happy and relieved” that 50 captives would soon return to their families.
He said it was a “positive development” that the pause in fighting would “allow additional humanitarian aid to Gaza for the millions of innocent Palestinians who have nothing to do with Hamas” and said the Senate ” “would continue to work to approve additional humanitarian aid for innocent Palestinians, and ensure that Israel receives the help it needs to defend itself so that Hamas can never again pose such a threat to Israel.”
