Newsletters
U.S. President Donald Trump said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "Israel cannot fight the whole world" as Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire deal, with hostages likely to be released Oct. 13.
"I told (Netanyahu) that Israel cannot fight the whole world," Trump told Fox News on Thursday after announcing that Israel and Hamas signed off on the first phase of a U.S.-proposed Gaza deal, adding, "He knows that very well."
Trump said he recently spoke with Netanyahu, who called and said he "couldn't believe it" about the agreement.
"Hostages will probably be released on Oct. 13," Trump told Fox News.
Trump said the ceasefire plan represents more than just Gaza, calling it "peace in the Middle East."
"I think you're going to see people getting along with each other very well and Gaza being rebuilt," Trump told Fox News, noting, "A council called the 'Peace Council' has been formed, mostly to handle Gaza. People will be looked after; it will be a completely different world."
Trump said Gaza will become a "much safer" place, and other countries will support the reconstruction process.
He credited "luck" and "talent" for the deal, saying the whole world came together.
"So many countries that you wouldn't have thought of, they came together," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. "The world has come together around this deal," he added.
Trump thanked Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye for helping mediate the agreement, part of his 20-point peace plan.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country welcomes the announcement and urges "all parties to respect the terms of the plan," the Australian Foreign Ministry noted in its statement.
"After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much-needed step towards peace," Albanese said, thanking Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledging the important role of Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement that New Delhi welcomes the agreement, hoping the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to Gaza will bring respite and pave the way for lasting peace.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the agreement will bring an end to genocide in Gaza and is a "historic opportunity" to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.
"Along with Trump, the 'resolute and wise' leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye are also to be applauded for their untiring efforts to negotiate a deal," Sharif said on X.
"Most of all, we must all pay tribute to the Palestinian people—who have suffered in an unprecedented manner, one that should never, ever be repeated," he added.
Sharif said he notes with grave concern and strongly condemns recent provocations at Masjid Al Aqsa, saying the world must hold occupiers and illegal settlers to account.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the deal an "essential first step towards achieving lasting peace" in a statement, urging Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a "complete resolution."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the deal is a "moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world," the PM's statement noted.
"This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza," Starmer said, expressing gratitude for the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the U.S.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated Trump "for his essential leadership" and thanked "Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for their tireless work to support the negotiations."
"After years of intense suffering, peace finally feels attainable," Carney said on X. "Canada calls on all parties to swiftly implement all agreed terms and to work towards a just and lasting peace."
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the agreement a "significant breakthrough" and "major diplomatic accomplishment."
"This is a real chance to end a devastating war and release all the hostages," Kallas said on X, adding the EU "will do what it can to support its implementation."
The 20-point plan, first announced Sept. 29, includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas and the rebuilding of Gaza.
Around 250 hostages were taken to Gaza following Hamas's cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children.
The relentless bombardment has left Gaza largely uninhabitable, leading to widespread starvation and disease.
2 min read
6 min read
