Leaders react to Gaza peace sign off: Hamas, Netanyahu, Albanese, Wong, Ley, Qatari PM welcome deal

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a peace plan, two years on from the October 7 attacks.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the news via Truth Social, saying Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the “first phase” of his Gaza peace plan.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Mr Trump said.

“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.

“All Parties will be treated fairly!

Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong release statement

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong issued a joint statement after the announcement of the deal, thanking Mr Trump for his “diplomatic efforts” in securing the landmark agreement.

Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza.

“After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace,” the joint statement said.

“Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza.

“We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.

“We thank President Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledge the important role of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in delivering this agreement.

“Australia strongly supports the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza.

Mr Albanese and Senator Wong said there was still a “very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long term peace and building the Palestinian state”.

“Together with our partners, Australia will continue to do what we can to contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution.

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) statement:

“We highly appreciate the efforts of our brothers and mediators in Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, and we also value the efforts of US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war completely and achieving a full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.

“We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and all Arab, Islamic, and international parties to compel the occupation government to fully implement its obligations under the agreement and to prevent it from evading or delaying the implementation of what has been agreed upon.

“We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and throughout our homeland and the diaspora, who have demonstrated unparalleled honour, courage, and heroism — confronting the fascist occupation projects that targeted them and their national rights. These sacrifices and steadfast positions have thwarted the Israeli occupation’s schemes of subjugation and displacement.

“We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain, and that we will remain true to our pledge — never abandoning our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.”

Netanyahu releases statement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a statement saying, “With God’s help we will bring them all home,” he wrote on social media.

Mr Netanyahu released another statement shortly after, thanking Mr Trump.

“A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home,” he said in a translated statement on X.

“I thank the heroic soldiers of the IDF and all the security forces, thanks to whose courage and sacrifice we have reached this day.

“I thank from the depths of my heart President Trump and his team for their mobilization for this sacred mission of releasing our hostages. With the help of the Almighty, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbours.”

White House releases video

The White House has announced that all Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be released “very soon,” according to a video message shared on social media.

“Today President Trump has done it,” said Moshe Lavi, the brother-in-law of Israeli hostage Omri Miran, who remains in Gaza. “He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages are coming home.”

Lavi was joined by Miran’s wife, Lishay, and other family members of Israeli hostages. The family expressed their gratitude to US President Donald Trump and his administration for “doing everything you can to bring them home.”

Sussan Ley welcomes Gaza peace plan

In Australia, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has released a statement saying the agreement should ‘inspire hope’.

“The announcement by the President of the United States that Israel and Hamas have agreed to implement the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan should inspire hope in Australia and across the world,” she said.

“All fair-minded Australians will welcome this announcement. We must remain hopeful today’s announcement will be borne out over the coming days.

“The Coalition has supported the US-brokered peace plan from its announcement, and we have stood with Israel and the United States through this conflict.

“Such an outcome is why the Australian Government should always have stood with our closest ally the United States.

“Today marks a hopeful first step toward the release of hostages held for over two years, the end of this war, and the beginning of enduring peace.”

Qatari Prime Minister reacts

An adviser to the Qatari Prime Minister has welcomed the news, “which will lead to ending the war”.

“The mediators announce that tonight an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid. The details will be announced later.”

- with Reuters