”A welcome message that Israel and Hamas have agreed to start releasing hostages and withdrawing troops, as a first step in President Trump's peace plan”, writes Kristersson on X.
He also writes that the agreement ”must be accompanied by full humanitarian aid to Gaza, lead to a permanent ceasefire and a complete implementation of the peace plan, which paves the way for a two-state solution to the conflict” and adds that Sweden is ready to contribute to the process.
Stenergard: ”A day to feel hope”
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party) calls the message ”very welcome and long-awaited”.
It's quite a few days as Foreign Minister that one is reminded of the darkness that exists in the world, but today is actually a day to feel hope. Hope that the hostages will get to come home, hope that we can get humanitarian aid in and stop the starvation in Gaza and hope that we can stop the hostilities.
However, much hard work remains for all parties involved to get a sustainable peace solution in place, emphasizes Malmer Stenergard. When asked how Sweden can assist, the Foreign Minister replies:
I see that we assist with aid but also with building up the Palestinian authority to also be able to work towards a two-state solution.
The Social Democrats' party leader Magdalena Andersson emphasizes that the agreement must now be kept, that emergency aid is let in and the hostages come home.
”The war must come to an end. The way forward is peace and a two-state solution based on international law”, she writes on X.
”Important breakthrough”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanks the USA, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for the countries' role in the peace process in a post on X.
”The UN will support the implementation of the agreement fully and expand the delivery of humanitarian support”, he writes.
Guterres hopes that the agreement will lead to a two-state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians can ”live in peace and security”.
The EU's Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas describes the agreement as an important breakthrough.
“This is a major diplomatic success and a real chance to put an end to a devastating war and free all hostages”, she writes on X.
