Leaders in the US and around the world praised the recent developments A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.
Biden announced the terms of the ceasefire during a news conference at the White House on Wednesday. It will consist of two phases and will take place over the coming weeks.
The first phase, which begins Sunday, “includes a full and a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women, the elderly and the wounded,” Biden said.
The second phase depends on Israel negotiating “the necessary arrangements” to mark a complete end to the war.
Citizens gather at Place de la Republique in Paris on Wednesday to celebrate the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. (Luc Auffret/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Reactions to the deal were largely positive. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was “very encouraged” to see the ceasefire become a reality.
“This is something I have been asking for for many, many months over the past year since the horrific, barbaric attack on innocent civilians in Israel that took place on October 7 last year,” Hochul said. “My main priority is to get the hostages back.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres, DN.Y., wrote on X that he felt “an indescribable sense of relief” over the hostages’ return.
“The return of the hostages will mark the beginning of closure for Israelis and Jews, as well as countless others, who remain deeply affected by the indelible terror and trauma of October 7,” Torres wrote. “The hostages were brought home through the power of the world’s most powerful friendship: the US-Israel relationship.”
The deal also attracted international attention. In a statement, British Prime Minister Kier Starmer called the ceasefire “long-awaited news.”
FOX NEWS GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT IDF’S WAR AGAINST HAMAS
Hundreds of people, demanding the immediate return of prisoners held by Hamas, gather Wednesday with banners and photos of prisoners to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government outside the Defense Ministry building in Tel Aviv, Israel . (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“(The Israeli and Palestinian people) have borne the brunt of this conflict – caused by the ruthless terrorists of Hamas, who committed the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7, 2023,” Starmer said. “The hostages, who were brutally ripped from their homes that day and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since, can now finally return to their families.
“But we must also use this moment to pay tribute to those who will not make it – including the British people murdered by Hamas. We will continue to mourn and remember them.”
In an X-post translated from French to English, French President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire must be respected.
“After fifteen months of irresponsible trials, enormous relief for Gazans, hope for the hostages and their families,” Macron said. He also referred to Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Calderon, two French-Israeli hostages.
While many are celebrating, some have expressed caution about the possibility of the deal falling through.
President Biden will deliver remarks on the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the White House Cross Hall on Wednesday, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
On Wednesday, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said the “major hurdle” — including finalizing the deal — had been “overcome.”
Hopefully we will see some families reunited this weekend,” Kirby said, adding that he was “confident” the deal will be executed, despite the hard work ahead.
Joshua Comins of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
