Betul Yilmaz
09 October 2025•Update: 09 October 2025
ISTANBUL
Arab countries hailed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Thursday to end a two-year war in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement based on US President Donald Trump’s plan.
“The Kingdom values the effective role of US President Donald Trump and the mediation efforts exerted by the brotherly states of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Türkiye in reaching this agreement,” the ministry said.
Riyadh considered the deal as “a basis for urgent work to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, achieve the complete Israeli withdrawal, and restore the security and stability.”
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed appreciation for “the significant efforts” made by Egypt, Qatar, the US, and Türkiye to reach the ceasefire deal.
He emphasized the necessity of adhering to the agreement and fully implementing its terms to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
Safadi stressed the need for concerted efforts to deliver sufficient and immediate humanitarian aid to end the famine in Gaza.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) praised President Donald Trump’s announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and mediation efforts by the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.
A Foreign Ministry statement stressed “the importance of building on this progress through the commitment of all parties to the agreement” and “working seriously to resume a comprehensive political process that leads to a two-state solution.”
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi called the ceasefire deal “a new hope for alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and paving the way to address the tragic conditions experienced by civilians.”
Budaiwi praised the efforts of the US and other mediating countries in achieving the agreement “through a diligent diplomatic path and continuous coordination.”
A ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas early Thursday in Egypt’s Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, based on a plan presented by Trump following marathon mediation efforts.
The 20-point plan, first announced on Sept. 29, includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the rebuilding of Gaza.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it uninhabitable.
