World leaders welcome Israel-Hamas agreement as step toward lasting peace

World leaders have welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, describing it as a crucial opportunity to end months of bloodshed in Gaza and lay the groundwork for a lasting political solution in the Middle East.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed cautious optimism, urging a focus on dialogue and humanitarian assistance, Caliber.Az reports via his post on X.

El Gobierno de España celebra las noticias que llegan de Oriente Medio y confía en que este sea el comienzo de una paz justa y duradera.

Ahora toca dialogar, asistir a la población civil y mirar al futuro. Con esperanza. Pero también con justicia y con memoria. Para que las…

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 9, 2025

The premier called for dialogue, to assist the civilian population, and to look to the future "with hope, but also with justice and memory. So that the atrocities experienced are never repeated.”

Ih turn, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the first steps of the agreement “encouraging,” noting that it offers “new hope – for the hostages and their families, for the people in Gaza, and for the entire region.”

“For the first time in a long while, there is a real prospect of peace in the region. We call on all parties to keep their promises, end the war, and pave the way for lasting peace. Germany will continue to firmly support this process," Merz added.

The first steps of the agreement between Israel and Hamas are encouraging.

They offer new hope – for the hostages and their families, for the people in Gaza, and for the entire region. 1/2

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) October 9, 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron also hailed the breakthrough, emphasising both humanitarian and diplomatic dimensions.

“Great hope for the hostages and their families, for the Palestinians in Gaza, and for the entire region,” Macron said. “I welcome the agreement reached overnight for the release of the hostages and the ceasefire in Gaza, and I commend the efforts of President Donald Trump, as well as the Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators who helped make it happen.”

Great hope for the hostages and their families, for the Palestinians in Gaza, and for the entire region.

I welcome the agreement reached overnight for the release of the hostages and the ceasefire in Gaza, and I commend the efforts of President @realDonaldTrump, as well as…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 9, 2025

Macron underscored that the truce must serve as a foundation for a broader political resolution.

“This agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution,” he stated. “France stands ready to contribute to this goal. We will discuss it this afternoon in Paris with our international partners.”

Similarly, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas noted that the agreement marks a significant breakthrough. 

"This is a major diplomatic accomplishment and a real chance to end a devastating war and release all the hostages. The EU will do what it can to support its implementation," she wrote on X.

Earlier on October 9, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas had signed off on the first phase of a peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. He said this phase would lead to the release of all hostages “very soon” and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to agreed positions.

By Sabina Mammadli