Israel-Hamas: Netanyahu Calls Trump; Obama, Starmer Hail Ceasefire

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday, lauded President-elect, Donald Trump, for brokering the ceasefire peace between Israel and Hamas in Palestine.

Naijaonpoint reported that the cease-fire was announced on January 15th, the first in fifteen months after Hamas attacked Israel on 7th October 2023.

According to a statement from his office, Netanyahu in the call with Trump reiterated his commitment to return all Israel’s hostages however he can.

Netanyahu, after Trump’s call, also spoke with President Joe Biden, lauding his effort in securing the ceasefire terms.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families.

“The Prime Minister made it clear that he is committed to returning all of the hostages however he can, and commended the US President-elect for his remarks that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism.

“The two decided to meet in Washington soon in order to discuss this and other important issues.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu then spoke with US President Joe Biden and thanked him as well for his assistance in advancing the hostages deal,” it read.

Barack Obama Hails President Biden

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, in a statement, on Wednesday credited the success of the ceasefire to President Biden.

He commended the ceasefire deal, stating it would bring an end to bloodshed and allow hostages to return to their homes

“The ceasefire and hostage release deal announced between Israel and Hamas is good news – for the families of the hostages taken on October 7th, for the Palestinian civilians who have suffered for more than a year, and for everyone who has prayed for an end to this awful chapter.

“It’s important to recognize that no deal – including this one – can ease the pain of those who have lost loved ones, or resolve the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. That work will be much harder, and take much longer. But it will put a stop to the bloodshed, allow people to return to their homes, and get much-needed aid to more than a million desperate, hungry people.

“That’s something we should all support, and I’m grateful to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and all the leaders and diplomatic teams from around the world who have worked so hard to get this done,” Obama said.

President Biden Credits Ceasefire to May Document

According to President Biden on his X handle, the terms of the ceasefire were a product of his May policy document. He stated that the war had brought unimaginable devastation to families.

“The elements of the ceasefire and hostage deal is what I laid out in detail this past May – which was embraced by countries around the world.

“I’m deeply satisfied this day has finally come, for the sake of the people of Israel and the sake of the families of hostages waiting in agony. And for the sake of innocent people in Gaza who have suffered unimaginable devastation,” he said.

Starmer Calls for Permament Deal

In his reaction, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has called for a permanent deal on the Israel – Palestine crisis.

While commending the two states for accepting the ceasefire clause, he suggested that the two countries adopt the two-state solution to end the war.

In a statement on Wednesday, Starmer said the ceasefire would ensure families are reunited and return peace to the region.

It read, “After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for. They have borne the brunt of this conflict — triggered by the brutal terrorists of Hamas, who committed the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7th, 2023.

“The hostages, who were brutally ripped from their homes on that day and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since, can now finally return to their families. But we should also use this moment to pay tribute to those who won’t make it home – including the British people who were murdered by Hamas. We will continue to mourn and remember them.

“For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza. And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people — grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.

“The UK and its allies will continue to be at the forefront of these crucial efforts to break the cycle of violence and secure long-term peace in the Middle East.”