Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and Antony Blinken (L-R) speak on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

Biden hails Gaza deal, acted as 'one team' with Trump

· RTE.ie

US President Joe Biden announced a "full and complete" ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the first part of their peace accord, and said he had acted as "one team" with incoming leader Donald Trump.

Speaking at the White House just days before he leaves office, a visibly relieved Mr Biden said the negotiations to halt the Gaza conflict had been some of the "toughest" of his career.

"I'm deeply satisfied this day has come, finally come," Mr Biden said in a televised statement.

A number of Americans would be among the hostages who would be released by Palestinian militants in Gaza, he added.

The first phase of the deal would last six weeks and include a "full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas," Mr Biden said.

The as yet unfinalised second phase would bring a "permanent end to the war," the 82-year-old Democrat said, adding he was "confident" the deal would hold.

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the recently announced ceasefire deal

Mr Biden's administration has been criticised for its channelling of military aid to Israel during its offensive in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas's deadly 7 October, 2023 attack on Israel.

But he said pressure on Hamas and its Iranian backers had helped push through a truce, adding that the deal now agreed was the "exact" same as one he had proposed in May.

Mr Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, meanwhile said his administration had been working as "one team" with Mr Trump's ahead of the Republican starting his second term as president on 20 January.

"In these past few days, we've been speaking as one team," said Mr Biden, noting that most of the implementation of the deal would be under a Trump White House.

"I told my team to coordinate close with the incoming team to make sure we're all speaking with the same voice - because that's what American presidents do."

Mr Trump earlier claimed credit for the "epic" deal, in posts on social media. His mideast envoy was involved in the talks and consulted with the White House.

Asked by a reporter whether he or Mr Trump was mainly responsible for the deal, Mr Biden replied: "Is that a joke?"

Taoiseach, Tánaiste welcome agreement

In a statement, Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the agreement, saying he hoped it would receive the formal approval of the Israeli government.

"I hope that all sides will seize this opportunity, fully honouring their commitments, allowing hostages to return to their families and the people of Gaza to begin rebuilding their lives and I hope that it will lead to a permanent arrangement," he said.

"The international community must play its part too, surging aid into Gaza, supporting a renewed Palestinian Authority to bring stability and governance to Gaza, and working to put a process in place that can lead to lasting peace.

"This will only be achieved through a two-state solution, with the state of Israel living in peace and security alongside a sovereign state of Palestine.

"I pay warm tribute to those who have worked so hard over many months to bring today’s agreement about, including the United States and leaders in the region including in Qatar and Egypt.," he added.

Separately, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the ceasefire was a long-awaited development with far too many innocent people killed in Gaza and Israel, since the conflict started.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the ceasefire was a long-awaited development

"We look forward to the release of all hostages held in captivity by Hamas and their return to their families as a matter of urgency.

"We need to see a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza, return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced as part of the conflict can return," he added.

"Palestinian Authority governance is crucial in this regard, as is the role of UN and humanitarian agencies, including UNRWA, who must be allowed to operate fully and without hindrance.

UN voices 'huge relief' at Gaza ceasefire deal

The UN rights chief hailed news of a ceasefire deal for Gaza between Israel and Hamas, saying it held the promise of "huge relief after so much unbearable pain and misery".

"I am hugely relieved by the news of the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza, and it is imperative that it now holds," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement.

"I urge parties to the conflict and all countries with influence to do everything in their power to ensure the success of next stages of the ceasefire, including the release of all hostages, and to end the war in its entirety."

People celebrate the ceasefire in Berlin, Germany

The UN's Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was "imperative" the newly struck Gaza ceasefire removes obstacles to aid deliveries as he welcomed the deal that includes a prisoner and hostage exchange.

Mr Guterres also called for the "integrity" of Palestinian territory to be respected and for a push to ensure "unified" Palestinian leadership capable of securing peace.

"It is 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," he said.

Mr Guterres has led calls for a ceasefire in the deadly conflict and has advocated for an unhindered flow of aid to the war-torn territory, including that delivered by UN agencies.

UN's Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press following the ceasefire announcement

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross said that the organisation stood ready to help implement an agreed Gaza ceasefire and facilitate the prisoner and hostage exchanges.

"We are ready to facilitate any release operation as agreed by the parties so that hostages and detainees can return home," ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement.

Members of a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Khan Younis

The organisation, she said, was "also prepared to massively scale up our humanitarian response in Gaza, where the situation demands it".

"This will require continuous effort from the parties to ensure that our teams can carry out their work safely and effectively."

International leaders react to ceasefire

Meanwhile, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country hoped for a "lasting peace" in Gaza after the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country hoped for lasting peace in Gaza

"We hope this agreement will be beneficial for our region and for all humanity, particularly for our Palestinian brothers, and that it will open the way to lasting peace and stability," Mr Erdogan said on X.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Hamas and Israel, urging them to "fully implement" the deal.

"Both parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict," she said.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that a ceasefire deal reached by Israel and Hamas must be followed by a "political solution" to end the conflict in Gaza.

"The agreement must be respected. The hostages freed. Gazans aided. A political solution must happen," Mr Macron posted on X.

Follow live updates on the ceasefire deal here.