European countries welcome Hamas' response Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - European countries have welcomed Hamas's response to US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza, describing it as a constructive step toward ending the conflict and securing the release of hostages.

Hamas announced its willingness to release all Israeli captives, alive and dead, and to hand over Gaza’s administration to an independent Palestinian authority composed of technocrats. However, it stressed that the enclave’s future and Palestinian rights must be addressed within a broader national Palestinian framework.

France called on all parties to implement the plan without delay, praising the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and Trump's commitment to peace.

"France stands ready to continue working with the United States of America, the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority and all regional and international partners to contribute to ending the crisis in Gaza and to relaunching a dynamic towards lasting peace in the Middle East, on the basis of this plan and the New York Declaration," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Belgium Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot urged an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian access for civilians, emphasizing that "acts must now follow the commitments."

"Belgium will continue, with its partners, to do everything it can to ensure a lasting peace," Prevot wrote on the US social media platform X.

Spain also welcomed Hamas's acceptance of the US plan as a step toward ending violence. "A definitive ceasefire is urgently needed to end the violence and suffering in Gaza, which have already lasted too long, to free the hostages, and to allow a massive influx of humanitarian aid," a government statement said.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said Hamas's willingness to engage with the peace plan was encouraging and called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid. "I sincerely hope this is the moment we’re witnessing light at the end of the tunnel," she said on X.

Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Simon Harris urged immediate action, saying: "This moment to end the unconscionable human suffering must be grasped by all. Stop the bombing, silence the guns, end the famine and allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia, Croatia and the Netherlands also expressed cautious optimism, highlighting the need for a permanent ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and continued diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace.

Trump on Friday, after the response by the Palestinian resistance group, said he believed Hamas was “ready for lasting peace” and urged Israel to “immediately stop bombing Gaza” in order to secure the release of captives. Israel estimates that 48 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, including 20 alive.

Israel, meanwhile, holds more than 11,000 Palestinian captives, many of whom face torture, hunger, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups.

On Sept. 29, Trump unveiled the 20-point plan for ending the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, standing alongside Trump at the White House, said he supports the initiative, calling it one that “achieves Israel’s war objectives.”

Since October 2023, Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The enclave has been rendered uninhabitable and is facing famine.