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U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called on Israel to immediately halt its bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that Hamas had expressed readiness to release hostages and accept parts of his 20-point peace plan.
The statement triggered a wave of international reactions — many world leaders described it as a “historic opportunity to achieve a ceasefire.”
Trump’s Appeal and Hamas Response
Trump’s peace plan envisions a gradual cessation of hostilities, an exchange of prisoners and hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the creation of a new, internationally supervised governance structure.
According to The Guardian, Hamas agreed to parts of the plan, saying it was ready to negotiate the remaining points if Israel stopped airstrikes and allowed humanitarian aid into the enclave.
In his speech, Trump declared:
“This is a moment when courage means peace, not war. Israel must lead by example and stop the bombing.”
Israel’s Position
Jerusalem has not officially declared a full ceasefire, but Reuters sources indicate that some military operations in Gaza have been scaled down following diplomatic pressure.
Israel’s Defense Ministry stated that the country “continues to protect its citizens while evaluating international peace initiatives.”
However, several government ministers reportedly expressed frustration at Trump’s direct involvement in the conflict.
European Leaders’ Reactions
Trump’s announcement drew immediate responses from European capitals:
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Hamas’s reaction “encouraging” and said “a ceasefire and the release of hostages are within reach.”
- French President Emmanuel Macron described it as “a historic chance to end the suffering and restore hope for peace.”
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Trump’s plan represented “the best opportunity for peace in recent years.”
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Hamas’s partial acceptance “a significant step forward” and urged both sides to move quickly toward implementation.
Reactions from the Middle East
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised Hamas’s decision and urged Israel to “show humanity and stop the attacks.”
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Cairo would continue its mediation efforts but urged Hamas to move toward “disarmament and a path of peace.”
- Jordan and Qatar emphasized the urgent need to open humanitarian corridors and resume talks on a two-state solution.
Palestinian and Gazan Reactions
According to The Washington Post, many Gaza residents reacted with cautious optimism, saying that after years of destruction, this could be a genuine chance for a pause.
However, skepticism remains — previous ceasefires have collapsed quickly. One resident said:
“We want to believe, but we’ve seen hope die faster than people here.”
Analysts’ Assessment
As Le Monde notes, Trump’s intervention has shifted the diplomatic tone, but the path to lasting peace remains difficult.
Major obstacles include:
- Hamas disarmament;
- Israel’s security guarantees;
- The structure of Gaza’s future administration.
Still, international analysts emphasize that for the first time since the war began, there is a tangible diplomatic momentum.
Conclusion
Trump’s call to end the bombing in Gaza has sparked intense global discussion. Some view it as a political maneuver, while others see it as the first real step toward peace.
Either way, the international community agrees: this is a rare opportunity to achieve a ceasefire and halt a humanitarian disaster that has devastated Gaza for more than two years.
