Leaders from the United States and around the world on Wednesday praised the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Biden announced the terms of the ceasefire at a press conference at the White House on Wednesday. It will be divided into two phases and will take place over the next few weeks.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on Sunday and "includes a general and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women, the elderly and civilians." Wounded," Biden said.
The second phase depends on Israel negotiating the "necessary arrangements" to mark a definitive end to the war.
Asked whether the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas deserves Trump's praise, Biden hesitated: "Is it a joke?"
Citizens gathered in Paris' Place de la République on Wednesday to celebrate the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. (Luc Auffret/Anadolu, Getty Images)
Reaction to the deal has been overwhelmingly positive. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was "very encouraged" to see the ceasefire come to fruition.
"I have been calling for this for many months over the past year, ever since the horrific, brutal attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7 of last year," Hochul said. "My first priority is to bring the hostages back. Home."
New York Rep. Ritchie Torres wrote on X that he felt "an indescribable sense of relief" at the return of the hostages.
"The return of the hostages will mark the beginning of closure for Israelis and Jews and countless others who continue to be deeply affected by the indelible horror and trauma of October 7," Torres wrote. "The hostages have been seized by the most powerful people in the world. Bring home the power of friendship—the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
The deal also attracted international attention. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the ceasefire "long overdue news" in a statement.
Fox News takes an inside look at the Israel Defense Forces' war against Hamas
Hundreds of people gathered outside Israel's Defense Ministry building in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, holding banners and photos of prisoners to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, demanding the immediate return of prisoners held by Hamas. (Stringer/Anadolu, Getty Images)
Starmer said: “(The peoples of Israel and Palestine) have borne the brunt of this conflict sparked by the brutal terrorists of Hamas, who have carried out the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the massacre of October 7, 2023. “The hostages who were brutally taken from their homes that day and have been held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since are finally able to return to their families.
"But we should also use this moment to pay tribute to those who cannot return home, including the British people murdered by Hamas. We will continue to mourn and remember them."
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post translated from French into English that the ceasefire agreement must be respected.
Macron said: "After 15 months of unreasonable torture, Gazans are relieved, and the hostages and their families have also seen hope." He also mentioned the two French-Israeli hostages Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Carr. Delon.
While many are celebrating, some are wary of the possibility of the deal falling through.
President Biden spoke on the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Cross Room of the White House on Wednesday, with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also in attendance. (Anna Chanmemaker/Getty Images)
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On Wednesday, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said "significant obstacles" - including finally reaching a deal - had been "overcome."
Hopefully come this weekend we'll start to see some family reunions," Kirby said, adding that while there was hard work ahead, he was "confident" the deal would be implemented.
Fox News Digital's Joshua Comyns contributed to this report.