Australian political leaders welcome Gaza peace deal

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas to implement the first phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, saying it represents “a much needed step towards peace” after more than two years of conflict.

Trump announced the breakthrough on his Truth Social platform on Thursday morning AEDT, saying the agreement represented “a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America”.

“After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace,” Albanese and Wong said in a joint statement.

“Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza. We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.”

The government thanked Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledged the important role of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in delivering the agreement.

“Australia strongly supports the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza,” the statement said.

Albanese and Wong noted there remained a long road ahead.

“There is a very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long term peace and building the Palestinian state,” they said. “Together with our partners, Australia will continue to do what we can to contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution.”

The Coalition also welcomed the announcement, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash saying “all fair-minded Australians will welcome this announcement”.

“The announcement by the President of the United States that Israel and Hamas have agreed to implement the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan should inspire hope in Australia and across the world,” Ley and Cash said in a joint statement.

“We must remain hopeful today’s announcement will be borne out over the coming days.”

The Coalition said it had supported the US-brokered peace plan from its announcement and stood with Israel and the United States through the conflict.

“Today marks a hopeful first step toward the release of hostages held for over two years, the end of this war, and the beginning of enduring peace,” Ley and Cash said.

They also indicated the agreement underscored their earlier calls for unity.

“This development also underscores what the Coalition has been saying for weeks – now is not a time to protest, it is a time to provide our support to this effort which has delivered the real prospect of peace after two years of conflict,” they said.

In an earlier statement, Cash separately called on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages “who was brutally abducted more than two years ago”.

“The United States has shown strong leadership in driving these negotiations. We all hope this marks a genuine step toward a lasting peace that guarantees Israel’s security and ends Hamas’s campaign of terror,” Cash said.

Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish and whose electorate includes a significant Jewish population, expressed hope about the development.

“After more than two years of heartbreak, grief and uncertainty, we are so close to seeing the hostages finally come home, and this unbearable war come to an end. That fills me with hope. Hope for a better future,” Burns said.

“Families in the region and around the world have carried the pain of this war for far too long. That pain has been felt deeply here in Australia, in our community.”

Burns said the next phase would require difficult work.

“Now, I hope both Israelis and Palestinians can begin to rebuild their lives in dignity and security. That’s what everyone in the region deserves,” he said.