Palestinians rejoicing at the news of the first-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Reuters Yonhap News. 

“Trump finally did it.” 

As Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas reached a surprise agreement for a first-phase ceasefire on the 8th (local time) through the mediation of the United States and neighboring countries, the international community has expressed collective relief. In particular, there is a growing consensus acknowledging the contributions of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a leading role in efforts to end the war. 

Consequently, there is strong momentum behind international public opinion calling for him to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized on X (formerly Twitter) that “all hostages must be released in a dignified manner and a permanent ceasefire must be guaranteed,” adding, “The war must stop completely.”

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), posted on X that he is “greatly relieved,” adding, “UNRWA has secured enough supplies to feed the residents of Gaza for the next three months.”

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also wrote on X that this is a “major step toward sustainable peace,” stating, “The WHO stands ready to step up efforts to address the urgent health needs of patients in Gaza and to support the reconstruction of the devastated health system.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope in a social media statement on the 9th, saying, “I hope this effort serves as a prelude to a permanent political solution, leading to the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed gratitude to the mediating nations for reaching the ceasefire agreement and stated that they must now establish a permanent ceasefire and move toward a two-state solution.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his joy, calling it “tremendous hope for the entire region.”

In a post on X, he wrote, “This agreement must signify the end of the war and the beginning of a political resolution based on a two-state solution. France is willing to contribute to achieving this goal. I will discuss this with international partners in Paris this afternoon.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said in a statement, “This is a moment of deep relief for the whole world,” adding, “I urge all parties to fulfill their commitments, end the war, and lay the foundations for a sustainable path to long-term peace.”

Israeli citizens rejoicing at the news of the first-phase ceasefire agreement. Reuters=Yonhap News. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has been at the forefront of criticizing Israel, wrote on X, “I look forward to this being the beginning of a just and lasting peace,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated in a release, “I urge all parties to fully comply with the measures already agreed upon.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a joint statement welcoming the ceasefire agreement, evaluating it as “a necessary step toward peace.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X, “After years of extreme suffering, peace is finally within reach,” and expressed his gratitude for the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.

Middle Eastern nations also welcomed the news.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, a mediating country, described the announcement of the ceasefire agreement as historic in a post on Facebook, writing, “The agreement turns the page on the war and opens a door of hope for the people of the region.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who also contributed to the mediation, emphasized, “Türkiye will closely monitor the strict implementation of the agreement,” adding, “At the same time, we will continue our struggle until an independent and sovereign Palestinian state is established.”

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it hopes the agreement will lead to a just and lasting peace, while Jordan also expressed expectations that it would “lead to the end of the war, the implementation of the exchange agreement, the withdrawal of Israel, and the delivery of humanitarian aid.” 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told the RIA Novosti news agency, “The fact that a ceasefire is being achieved in Gaza is a source of satisfaction for everyone,” adding, “We hope that actions will follow to implement the agreement.”

Black smoke rising in Gaza even after the announcement of the first-phase ceasefire agreement. Reuters Yonhap News. 

Han-Mi Ilbo·Yonhap News