World leaders are hailing Hamas' partial acceptance of a peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump as a significant step toward resolving the Gaza conflict.
Here are some of the reactions:
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the decision "a very welcome step forward", in a post on X.
"New Zealanders embrace the hope this offers for a future in which Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side in peace and security.
"Today’s announcement by Hamas that it has agreed to release all the hostages is a very welcome step forward.
"All efforts must now be focused on realising the opportunity it presents. The priority remains the return of the hostages, an end to the fighting, and unfettered access to Gaza for humanitarian assistance.
"With the rest of the international community, New Zealanders embrace the hope this offers for a future in which Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side in peace and security."
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for an "agreement without delay".
"We strongly support President Trump's efforts, which have brought us closer to peace than ever before...There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it."
He said the UK was ready to support further negotiations and work "towards sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike".
French President Emmanuel Macron said, "the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!"
He said the commitment by Hamas must be followed up without delay, with the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called Hamas' partial acceptance of the US plan as "the best chance for peace" after two years of fighting.
"The hostages must be released. Hamas must disarm. The fighting must cease immediately. All of this must happen very fast," Merz wrote.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was encouraged by the Hamas statement in response to Donald Trump's plan to end the war between the Palestinian militants and Israel in the Gaza Strip, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
"He urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end," Dujarric said.
A statement from the prime minister’s office Saturday said Israel would work “in full cooperation” with Trump to end the war in accordance with its principles. (Source: 1News)
Trump's proposal "cannot be implemented without negotiations," Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based outside of Gaza, told the Al Jazeera network on Friday.
Abu Marzouk said it might be difficult for Hamas to release all the hostages within 72 hours, because it could take days or weeks to locate the remains of some of the captives.
Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would refuse foreign administration of the Gaza Strip and that the entry of foreign forces would be "unacceptable."
Egypt said it hopes for "positive development" that will lead all parties to implement the US plan, according to a foreign ministry statement.
It said it will exert all effort with Arab states, the US, and European countries to reach a permanent ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.
Qatar said it has begun coordination with mediator Egypt and the United States to continue talks.
Additional reporting by 1News
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