US President Joe Biden, commenting on the cease-fire in Gaza, said on Wednesday that the agreement between Israel and Hamas will lead to a complete end to the war. He added that this agreement is in line with his plan in May last year. Donald Trump has already recognized the success of the agreement, claiming that it would not have been possible without his victory in the election. The leaders of the world expressed their views on the issue of the declared ceasefire, including the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Secretary General of the UN Antonio Guterres, the President of France Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and the Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer.
As Joe Biden said in his speech at the White House, the agreement is in line with his three-phase plan for May 2024. The first six-week phase involves the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from populated areas, a ceasefire and the release of Hamas hostages, including American citizens.
– During these six weeks, Israel will negotiate to reach the second stage, i.e. a permanent cessation of hostilities, the president said. He added that the first phase will be automatically extended if the negotiations last more than six weeks.
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According to this plan, as part of the second phase, Israeli forces must completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Hamas must release the remaining hostages and prisoners, including Israeli soldiers. The third phase includes the return of all the bodies of the hostages and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
US President Joe Biden AARON SCHWARTZ/PAP/EPA
Biden emphasized that the implementation of the agreed terms will be the responsibility of his successor, but added that he is in constant contact with Donald Trump’s team and expressed confidence that the agreement will be preserved. He also stated that the success was made possible thanks to “sustainable diplomacy” but “extreme pressure” on Hamas and the severe weakening of Iran and its ally Hezbollah, which led to a change in the balance of the entire region.
“As I prepare to leave office, our friends are strong and our enemies are weak,” he added.
Trump: Epic ceasefire in Gaza is only possible because of my victory
“This epic cease-fire agreement could only come about as a result of our historic victory in November, because it showed the world that my administration will pursue peace and negotiate agreements for the safety of all Americans and our allies,” Trump wrote in a statement. website. TruthSocial.
“With this agreement, my national security team will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies through the efforts of Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff to ensure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists.” added that he also intends to sign the so-called Ibrahim Agreement, that is, the stabilization of Israel’s relations with neighboring Arab countries.
Witkoff participated in the ceasefire talks in Qatar along with the team of the outgoing Joe Biden administration. According to Israeli media, including Ha’arez newspaper, Trump’s emissary forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to concessions that he had been refusing to make during the months-long negotiations.
Trump also publicly threatened earlier that “all hell will break loose in the Middle East” if the Hamas hostages are not released before the start of his presidency.
Israel and Hamas announce agreement HAITHAM IMAD/PAP/EPA
World leaders on the agreement between Israel and Hamas
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that the deal “gives hope to an entire region where people have long suffered enormously.” The head of the European Union has assessed that thanks to the agreement, the hostages will be reunited with their loved ones, and humanitarian aid will be able to reach the civilians of the Gaza Strip. But the politician warned that the agreement must be fully implemented by both sides. – This is a step towards lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic solution to the conflict, von der Leyen added.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, like Von der Leyen, expressed hope that this agreement would end the suffering of civilians and allow the hostages to return to their loved ones. “The ceasefire must allow immediate access to humanitarian aid and create conditions for the reconstruction of Gaza,” Portugal said, adding that the European Union “remains committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, for her part, called the deal announced on Wednesday “a breakthrough the world has been waiting for and for many it needs.” Metsola noted that maintaining this peace agreement is very important because, as he said, “it can be a turning point for lasting peace and a catalyst that turns despair into hope.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “The UN stands ready to support the implementation of this agreement and to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to the countless Palestinians who are suffering.” He stressed the need for this ceasefire to remove important security obstacles and obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Gaza Strip.
Southern Gaza Strip PAP/EPA/HAITHAM IMAD
European leaders on the cease-fire in the Gaza strip
“The agreement must be respected, the hostages released, the people of Gaza saved. There must be a political solution,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in X. He said the deal “is a great relief for the people of Gaza.” . Gaza strip and hope for the hostages and their families.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement, “After months of devastating bloodshed and countless deaths, this is the long-awaited news that the people of Israel and Palestine have been waiting for.” He also described the ceasefire as “long overdue”. “For the innocent Palestinians whose homes have been turned into battlefields overnight and for many who have lost their lives, the ceasefire must allow for the humanitarian aid that is so desperately needed to end the suffering in the Gaza Strip. .” he added. “And then we have to focus on how to ensure a better future for the people of Israel and Palestine,” stressed the head of the British government.
“This ceasefire opens the door to an end to the war and an improvement in the precarious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote in X. He stressed that the agreement must now be “implemented as much as possible.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: “This agreement is important to achieve stability in the region. It is an important step towards a two-state solution and a just peace in compliance with international law.” According to the prime minister, the agreement announced on Wednesday “should lead to an end to the conflict, allow the tragic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages.”
The Italian government emphasized in its statement that this agreement was reached thanks to “a long-term commitment to negotiations, which the Italian government has always supported.”
“Italy has closely followed the painful issue of hostages held by Hamas from the beginning and now expects that all of them will finally be able to return to their families. The ceasefire provides an important opportunity to significantly increase aid to civilians. From the video Gaza,” the statement said.
Main photo source: HAITHAM IMAD/PAP/EPA
