World leaders today welcomed Hamas’ decision to release all hostages held in Gaza and its stated willingness to engage with a US led peace proposal, viewing it as a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.
The announcement came in the wake of renewed diplomatic efforts by former US President Donald Trump, who earlier in the week unveiled a 20-point peace plan aimed at resolving the war between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the move by Hamas as a major step toward ending hostilities. He expressed support for the US initiative and emphasised the importance of implementing the plan to facilitate a ceasefire, enabling the return of hostages, and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the need for swift action, highlighting that the conditions for a ceasefire and the release of hostages were now within reach.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also welcomed the development and called on Hamas to fully implement the agreement.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon characterised Hamas’ announcement as a positive step and stressed the importance of building on the opportunity it presented.
The coordinated response from global leaders signaled renewed international momentum behind diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which has led to widespread suffering and instability across the region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed Hamas’s announcement expressing readiness to release hostages and engage with the Gaza peace proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Guterres urged all parties to seize the opportunity to end the conflict in Gaza, reiterating calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian access. He also praised the mediation efforts of Qatar and Egypt.
Hamas stated it has submitted its response to regional mediators, agreeing in principle to release all Israeli hostages living and deceased and to transfer Gaza’s administration to an independent technocratic body backed by Arab and Islamic nations.
President Trump responded on Truth Social, saying the statement signaled Hamas’s readiness for lasting peace, and called on Israel to halt bombing.
The U.S. proposal includes a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, phased Israeli withdrawal, demilitarised Gaza, and international oversight of reconstruction