Global reactions, including from key mediators, to Hamas’s partial acceptance of United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza, have been tinged with hope as the prospect of halting the two-year genocidal assault appears within reach.
Late on Friday, the Palestinian group said it was ready to release all remaining captives and hand over power to other Palestinians, but other elements of the proposal needed further negotiations.
Israeli media reported on Saturday that Trump’s demand after Hamas responded that Israel “immediately stop bombing Gaza” and his insistence that Hamas is ready for “lasting peace” were received with “shock” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s office later announced that the military was “preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of the Trump plan for the release of all the hostages”.
His office added it will continue to work in cooperation with the US president to end the war “in accordance with the principles set out by Israel”, indicating it may not accept changes to the original White House plan.
Some major sticking points remain. Hamas made no mention of disarming – a key demand from Israel, which was included in Trump’s plan.
Below is what some countries around the world have said:
Qatar
The Gulf nation, which has been central to negotiations on Gaza, has welcomed Hamas’s announcement “of its agreement to President Trump’s plan, and its readiness to release all hostages as part of the exchange framework outlined in the plan”.
“We also affirm our support for the statements made by the President calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe and swift release of hostages, and to achieve rapid results that would put an end to the bloodshed of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on X.
Egypt
Another key player, Egypt, said it hoped for a “positive development” and that it would work with Arab states, the US and European countries to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Turkiye
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Hamas’s positive reaction and said the group was “ready for peace”.
“Hamas has shown, as it has done many times before, that it is ready for peace. Thus, a window of opportunity has opened for lasting peace in our region,” Erdogan told a ceremony in Istanbul.
Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas also welcomed the Hamas response and underscored critical next steps: “What matters to us now is an immediate commitment to a complete ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid through UN organisations, ensuring the prevention of displacement or annexation, and the commencement of the reconstruction process.”
In this context, Abbas stressed, “Sovereignty over the Gaza Strip belongs to the State of Palestine, and the connection between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must be achieved through Palestinian laws and governmental institutions, through a Palestinian administrative committee and unified Palestinian security forces, within the framework of a single system and law, and with Arab and international support.”
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
The PIJ says Hamas’s statement expresses the position of other Palestinian groups. The PIJ “participated responsibly in the consultations that led to this decision”, a brief statement on Telegram said.
Jordan
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 US 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.
Pakistan
Pakistan says Hamas’s response to Trump’s plan is “a welcome step”.
“This must now result in an immediate ceasefire, end to Palestinian suffering, ensure hostages’ release, and allow free flow of humanitarian aid. Israel MUST immediately stop its attacks,” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X.
On Friday, Dar said the 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza is not the same as the draft proposed by a group of Arab and Muslim countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month.
United Nations
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was encouraged by the Hamas statement and urged parties to “seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end”, according to spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Also Volker Turk, the UN rights chief, called the growing momentum to end the war on Gaza a “vital opportunity”. He expressed hope “for a permanent cessation of hostilities, followed by recovery and reconstruction, in line with international human rights and humanitarian laws, and the much needed two-state solution”.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the UN’s health agency, hailed Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza, stating that the “best medicine is peace”.
“WHO welcomes the peace plan for Gaza … for an immediate end to the war, the release of all hostages, the resumption of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, including of hospitals, and peaceful and prosperous coexistence for Palestinians and Israelis,” he said in a statement.
India
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Trump’s “leadership” in his peace efforts in Gaza that have made “decisive progress”. In a post on social media, Modi tagged the US President’s X accounts, saying: “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.”
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim offered a more cautionary tone: “The peace plan presented by the United States is not perfect, and we even disagree with much of it. However, our current priority is to save the lives of the Palestinian people,” he said, adding that the endorsement by Arab and Islamic countries “is not a sign of agreement with everything outlined in that plan, but a collective step to halt the bloodshed, reject expulsion and give the people of Gaza the opportunity to return to their homeland … The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!”
France
President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, joining a chorus of hopeful European reactions to Hamas’s response. “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. France will play its full part in line with its efforts at the United Nations, alongside the United States, Israelis and Palestinians, and all of its international partners. I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump and his team for their commitment to peace.”
Spain
While he welcomed the latest developments, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Luis Albares warned that “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.
Ireland
“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,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said in a statement on X.
Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the plan represented “the best chance for peace” in the conflict and that Germany “fully supports” Trump’s “call upon both sides”.
United Kingdom
Britain’s Keir Starmer called Hamas’s acceptance “a significant step forward” and urged all sides “to implement the agreement without delay”.
Canada
“Canada welcomes commitments from Hamas to relinquish power and release all remaining hostages, living and deceased,” PM Mark Carney said on X, thanking Trump for his “essential leadership”.
“We stand ready to support the sustained, unimpeded, and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.”
Canada was among several Western countries to recently recognise a Palestinian state.
European Union
The president of the EU Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, hailed Hamas’s response as “encouraging”.
“This moment must be seized. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages are within reach,” said on x.