Mediator Qatar has announced that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to stop the war in Gaza and exchange Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced the agreement in Doha on Wednesday. He said the ceasefire would come into effect on Sunday, January 19.

Sheikh Mohammed said the deal would lead to the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to the Palestinian Health Authority, at least 46,707 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s war on Gaza. On October 7, 2023, Israel launched a devastating attack in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed at least 1,139 people and detained approximately 250 others, according to Israeli statistics.

Here are some of the major reactions from around the world to the announcement of the armistice:

US President Joe Biden

“The fighting in Gaza will stop and the hostages will soon be returned to their families,” President Biden said at the White House.

US President-elect Donald Trump

“We have a deal on the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released soon. Thank you!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

Trump said: “After the agreement is reached, my national security team, led by the efforts of Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza never becomes a target for terrorists. Safe Haven,” said in the second post.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Guterres told reporters that the United Nations was prepared to support the deal and “step up efforts to provide sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Fidan told reporters in Ankara that the ceasefire agreement was an important step for regional stability. He also said Türkiye would continue to work toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

The prime minister called for calm in the Gaza Strip between now and January 19, when a ceasefire agreement comes into effect.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

In X’s post, Sisi welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement and stressed the importance of rapid humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Von der Leyen “warmly” welcomed news of the ceasefire agreement. She said, “The hostages will be reunited with their families and humanitarian aid will reach Gaza civilians. This brings hope to the entire region, where people have long endured great suffering. Both sides must fully implement the agreement as part of the realization of the The cornerstone of lasting stability and diplomatic resolution of conflicts.”

Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium

De Croo said that after months of conflict, “we feel great relief” for the hostages. “We hope that this ceasefire will end the fighting and mark the beginning of a lasting peace. Belgium stands ready to help,” he said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock

“In these few hours, there is hope that the hostages will finally be released and the deaths in Gaza will come to an end. Now everyone with responsibility should make sure they seize this opportunity,” Belbok said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

“After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the belated news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have been desperately waiting for,” Starmer said in an emailed statement.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gall Storey

Galstorey insisted on the need to strengthen Palestinian institutions in order to “assume full control and responsibility, including in Gaza. “Both Israel and Palestine must have reliable security and solutions must be regionally based,” he said.