U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Israel to halt its bombing of Gaza after Hamas said it was ready to release hostages and agreed to some aspects of the U.S. president's plan to end the war, although Israeli strikes still killed several people on Saturday.
Here are some reactions from around the world to Hamas's comments and Trump's reaction:
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN
"Hamas’ stated readiness to release hostages and engage on the basis of the recent @POTUS proposal is encouraging. This moment must be seized. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages are within reach. Europe will support all efforts aiming to end the suffering of civilians, and to promote the only viable solution for peace, the two-state solution," she wrote on X.
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
"The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach! Hamas' commitment must be followed up without delay. We now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace ... I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump and his team for their commitment to peace."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ
"The hostages must be released. Hamas must disarm. The fighting must cease immediately. All of this must happen very fast. After almost two years, this is the best chance for peace. Germany will continue to engage."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER
"Hamas’ acceptance of the U.S. peace plan is a significant step forwards. We strongly support President Trump’s efforts, which have brought us closer to peace than ever before. There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it."
SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE LUIS ALBARES
"An immediate ceasefire, the entry of food and humanitarian aid, the release of the hostages, all is welcome."
"It's not a definitive step; there are still many obstacles. This fundamentalist organization (Hamas) must be disarmed. We want the Israeli army to definitively cease all military actions against the group.
"What will bring peace to the Palestinian people, to the people of Israel, is the existence of a realistic and viable Palestinian state," he told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE.
IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER SIMON HARRIS
"This moment to end the unconscionable human suffering must be grasped by all. Stop the bombing, silence the guns, end the famine and allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza," he said in a statement on X.
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE
"Australia welcomes progress on President Trump's plan to bring peace to Gaza," he wrote on X. "Together with our partners, Australia will continue to support efforts to end the war and work towards a just and sustainable two-state solution."
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
"We welcome President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace," he wrote on X.
JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
Jordan welcomed Hamas' positive response to Trump's plan, calling it an important step to end the Gaza war, a ministry statement said. Amman also praised Egypt and Qatar's mediation, highlighted U.S. efforts including opposition to West Bank annexation, and called for an immediate halt to Israel's offensive, the opening of crossings for aid, and a peace process based on a two-state solution.
CANADA PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY
"Canada welcomes commitments from Hamas to relinquish power and release all remaining hostages, living and deceased. We encourage all parties to immediately work to turn commitments into reality, and to advance peace and security in the region."
"We stand ready to support the sustained, unimpeded, and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza."
DUTCH PRIME MINISTER DICK SCHOOF
"Important steps toward a ceasefire in Gaza thanks to President Trump's peace plan. Hamas's stated willingness to release the hostages and its willingness to enter direct negotiations on the peace plan is a positive sign.
"An end to this terrible war is within reach."
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