Gaza ceasefire: Israel and Hamas agree on deal, hostages release

Netanyahu accuses Hamas of backtracking on prisoner release deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of attempting to backtrack on a previously agreed-upon prisoner release deal, claiming that the group is now demanding to dictate the identities of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, contrary to earlier understandings.

Netanyahu's office issued a second statement, accusing Hamas of trying to “go back on the understandings” that were set out, particularly concerning the release of individuals deemed "mass murderers" by Israel.

Earlier Netanyahu had refrained from issuing a public statement on the matter, stating that final details were still being negotiated. 

World leaders react to Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement

World leaders have expressed varied responses following the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending the prolonged conflict in Gaza. The deal is seen as a potential breakthrough for humanitarian aid and regional stability, though opinions on its long-term impact differ.

U.S. President Joe Biden: At a White House briefing, President Joe Biden confirmed the ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, stating, "Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages will return home to their families." Biden also expressed hope that this deal could pave the way for a "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood and normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.

U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump: President-Elect Donald Trump confirmed the hostages' release on his Truth Social platform, stressing the importance of preventing Gaza from becoming a "terrorist safe haven." Trump’s National Security team will continue monitoring the situation closely.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted access to Gaza to deliver "lifesaving humanitarian support" to the Palestinian people.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama: Former President Barack Obama described the ceasefire as a positive step, particularly for halting bloodshed and facilitating aid to the region. Obama reiterated the importance of continued diplomatic efforts toward a long-term peace.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed hope that the ceasefire would bring an end to the suffering in Gaza, while stressing the need for full implementation to achieve long-term stability.

South African Government: South Africa welcomed the ceasefire and condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling for a just peace solution that respects the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the ceasefire a "constructive step" toward peace but emphasized that Hamas should not have a role in Gaza's future governance.

Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo: Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed relief for the hostages and their families, hoping that the ceasefire would lead to lasting peace and stability in the region.

German Foreign Secretary Annalena Baerbock: German Foreign Secretary Annalena Baerbock voiced hope that the ceasefire would provide a genuine opportunity to end the conflict, urging responsible actions from all involved.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for a permanent resolution based on a two-state framework.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre: Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the need for stronger Palestinian institutions and security guarantees for both sides in the region

Pakistan welcomes Gaza ceasefire, calls for permanent peace

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was reached on January 15, 2025.

MOFA expressed hope that the truce would enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians affected by the war. The statement condemned the "indiscriminate use of force" by Israeli forces, which has led to significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction in Gaza.

Pakistan also criticised Israel’s expansionist policies, describing them as a destabilising factor in the region. Islamabad reiterated its support for a "just, comprehensive, and durable" solution to the Palestinian issue, advocating for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards call Gaza ceasefire a "victory" for Palestinians

Iran's Revolutionary Guards hailed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as a “clear victory” for Palestinians and a significant “defeat” for Israel.

In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) celebrated the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, calling it a "great victory for Palestine" and a "bigger defeat for the monstrous Zionist regime." The statement reflects Iran’s longstanding support for Palestinian groups and its opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The IRGC's statement reinforces Iran's support for Hamas and other Palestinian factions, marking the ceasefire as a strategic victory in the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestinian groups.

Aid groups call for urgent scaling up of humanitarian access to Gaza

International aid agencies are calling for an urgent scaling up of humanitarian access to Gaza, where a catastrophic crisis has unfolded after 15 months of war.

UNRWA, the main humanitarian agency in Gaza, called for “rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted humanitarian access” to address the immense suffering. Over 2 million people rely on the agency, with one million seeking shelter amid ongoing fighting.

UNICEF described the deal as "long overdue," highlighting the tragic impact on children, with at least 14,500 killed and 17,000 unaccompanied minors. The agency urged both sides to allow aid to reach Gaza, focusing on malnutrition treatment and vaccination efforts for vulnerable children.

The World Food Programme stated it has enough supplies to feed over a million people for three months but requires urgent funding and open border crossings to scale up aid. Similarly, the Red Cross expressed readiness to expand its operations, although it stressed the complexity of facilitating the release of hostages and providing aid.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) called for the immediate lifting of restrictions on aid to prevent famine-like conditions and stressed the need to rebuild Gaza’s destroyed infrastructure. The International Rescue Committee echoed these calls, highlighting the urgent need for food, medicine, water, and safe access for aid workers.

As the ceasefire holds, aid organizations are rallying to scale up operations and meet the overwhelming needs in Gaza.

Middle Eastern react to Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

Middle East have expressed support for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, calling for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza and for a lasting peace agreement.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the US in facilitating the ceasefire, urging the entry of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the deal would benefit the region and promote lasting peace, particularly for Palestinians.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called on world powers to ensure the “sufficient and durable” delivery of aid, while Iraq’s Foreign Ministry stressed the need to rebuild Gaza.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry underscored the need for Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza and for displaced Palestinians to return home.

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed also called for aid access and for both sides to stick to their commitments, including the release of prisoners.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed hope that the ceasefire would restore security and facilitate the return of displaced Palestinians.

Israeli PM Netanyahu says ceasefire deal with Hamas still not finalised

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that a ceasefire deal with Hamas has not yet been finalised, despite multiple reports suggesting an agreement had been reached.

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office acknowledged that final details of the deal were still unresolved, adding that it hoped “details will be finalized tonight.”

“An official statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be issued only after the completion of the final details of the agreement, which are being worked on at present.”

Israel-Hamas ceasefire: What you need to know about the phases and guarantees

The agreement, which aims to end the devastating 15-month conflict, is backed by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to ensure its implementation.

First Phase: Hostages, Prisoner Exchange, and Humanitarian Aid

The first phase of the ceasefire, lasting six weeks, involves several significant exchanges. Hamas will release 33 Israeli captives, including children, female soldiers, civilians, and men over 50. In return, Israel will free 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female soldier and 30 for each civilian captive.

In addition to the prisoner exchanges, Israel will release all women and children under 19 it has detained from Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack. Israel has also agreed to gradually allow unarmed Palestinians to return to the northern part of the Gaza Strip, while facilitating a surge of humanitarian aid, with up to 600 trucks per day.

Second Phase: Full Captive Release and Israeli Withdrawal

If the conditions of phase one are met, the second phase will see the release of all remaining living captives, mostly male soldiers, by Hamas. In exchange, Israel will free more Palestinians from its prisons.

The second phase also involves Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, including from the militarized Philadelphi corridor, the border area between Gaza and Egypt. The complete withdrawal aims to de-escalate the conflict and prepare for long-term stability in the region.

Third Phase: Reconstruction and a Plan for Peace

Should the second phase be successfully implemented, the third phase will focus on the return of the bodies of remaining captives. In return, Israel and Hamas will agree to a multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza, which will be conducted under international supervision.

Israel and Hamas agree to phased ceasefire after 15 months of conflict

In a significant development, US and Qatari officials announced that negotiators have successfully reached a phased agreement to end the Israel's brutal campaign in Gaza.

The deal, aimed at halting the bloodshed that has left tens of thousands dead, marks a pivotal moment after 15 months of Israel's atrocities.

The ceasefire, set to take effect on Sunday, includes a six-week halt in hostilities, providing a window for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The agreement also outlines a critical provision for the exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023. Israel initiated an air and ground assault on Gaza, which has resulted in more than 46,000 deaths, according to Gaza health ministry figures. Hundreds of thousands of displaced people continue to live in harsh conditions in makeshift shelters.

As the ceasefire takes effect, the hope is that this agreement will provide much-needed relief for both sides and pave the way for a lasting peace in the region.