UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the agreement as a “crucial first step,” emphasising the urgent need for the ceasefire to address security and political barriers to delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza. He highlighted the importance of easing the immense suffering caused by the conflict and called for a renewed political process to end the occupation and achieve a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully.

Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), pledged the organisation’s readiness to facilitate the ceasefire’s implementation, including prisoner exchanges and a massive scale-up of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, underlined the need for unhindered humanitarian aid to alleviate the enormous suffering in Gaza, particularly after over a year of conflict.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk expressed relief over the ceasefire, urging all parties to ensure its success and prioritise humanitarian needs, such as food, water, and medical care. UNICEF’s Catherine Russell highlighted the devastating toll on Gaza’s children, with thousands killed or displaced, calling for immediate action to address malnutrition and disrupted vaccinations.

US President Joe Biden praised the agreement, attributing its success to sustained diplomatic efforts, while outgoing French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for the ceasefire to hold and lead to a political resolution. European leaders, including Germany’s Olaf Scholz and Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, viewed the agreement as a critical step toward regional stability and a two-state solution.

In the Middle East, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, key mediators of the deal, called for accelerating humanitarian aid and emphasised the importance of Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and other Palestinian territories. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the agreement would benefit the Palestinian people and the wider region.

South Africa welcomed the deal as a crucial step to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, reiterating its position that Israeli actions may constitute genocide under international law. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the agreement morally necessary to reunite hostages with their families, describing it as the right decision for the nation.

While the ceasefire brings hope, global leaders agree that its success hinges on implementing humanitarian aid and resolving the underlying causes of the conflict, including ensuring accountability for violations of international law and addressing the broader quest for peace and justice in Palestine.