Global leaders welcomed the Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal, calling for its adherence and swift delivery of aid to Gaza civilians.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was "imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support a major increase in urgent life-saving humanitarian support."
U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "thrilled" that hostages would be freed and "confident" the deal would hold. "I'm deeply satisfied this day has ... finally come," he said in a televised statement.
President-elect Donald Trump, on the other hand, vowed to "work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a ... safe haven."
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that "both parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region."
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry stressed "the need to adhere to the agreement and stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza," calling for "the complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the (Gaza) Strip and all other Palestinian and Arab territories and the return of the displaced to their areas."
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed the news on his X account while noting the need for both parties to uphold the peace deal.
"After so much suffering and destruction, the news that a ceasefire in Gaza has finally been negotiated brings hope. May the cessation of the conflict and the release of the hostages help build a lasting solution that brings peace and stability to the entire Middle East," he said.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing hoped "that relevant parties will take the cease-fire in Gaza as an opportunity to promote the easing of regional tensions."
The president of neighboring Egypt, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, called for "the entry of urgent humanitarian aid" into Gaza. He said the deal followed "strenuous efforts" by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called on world powers to ensure the "sufficient and durable" delivery of aid to Gaza.
Iraq's Foreign Ministry echoed Safadi's call and stressed the "need to immediately allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories" and "intensify international efforts to rebuild" areas damaged during Israel's Gaza offensive.
"Today, the world realized that the patience of the people of Gaza and the steadfastness of the Palestinian resistance forced the Zionist regime to retreat," Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, adding that Israel was "defeated."
France's President Emmanuel Macron said the agreement must be "respected" and followed by a "political solution."
Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the deal "opens the door to a permanent end to the war and to the improvement of the poor humanitarian situation in Gaza" and must be "implemented to the letter."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it "the long overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for." He urged steps for a "permanently better future ... grounded in a two-state solution."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country "expects that all the hostages can finally return to their families" and saw an "opportunity to significantly increase humanitarian assistance" to Gaza civilians. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called it an "important step towards peace."
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it hoped the truce would lead to a permanent cease-fire and allow an increase of aid to Gaza and reaffirmed its support for a "just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question."
U.N rights chief Volker Türk said the deal promised "huge relief after so much unbearable pain and misery ... and it is imperative that it now holds".
The chief of the U.N. aid agency for Palestinian refugees Philippe Lazzarini called for "rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted humanitarian access and supplies to respond to the tremendous suffering caused by this war."