Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, Netanyahu statement awaited

US President Joe Biden announcing formal ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas said: “I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,”

“This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity,” US President Joe Biden said in Washington.

The first phase of the deal would last six weeks and include a “full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas,” Biden said.

Meanwhile the most important statement is awaited and that is of Israeli PM Netanyahu as his office announced late Wednesday night that, “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”.

Expressing his satisfaction over the ceasefire truce, US President-elect Donald Trump said: “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”

In a post on Truth Social platform, he said: “With this deal in place, my national security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that the UN stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi also welcomed the Gaza ceasefire deal, according to a post on X, and stressed the importance of a fast delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Europium Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said: “I warmly welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza. Hostages will be reunited with their loved ones and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza.”

“This brings hope to an entire region, where people have endured immense suffering for far too long. Both parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” she said.

Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said: “After too many months of conflict, we feel tremendous relief for the hostages, for their families and for the people of Gaza. Let’s hope this ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustained peace. Belgium stands ready to help.”

German Foreign Secretary Annalena Baerbock said: “In these hours there is hope that the hostages will finally be released and the deaths in Gaza will come to an end.”

“Everyone who bears responsibility should now ensure that this opportunity is seized.”

In an emailed statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for.”

“For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza,” he added.

The premier said: “And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people – grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.”