Image of the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus,

The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered by United States President Donald Trump, describing it as a significant step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.

In a post on his X handle on Thursday, Ghebreyesus expressed optimism that the deal would end the suffering of civilians and ensure the safe return of hostages.

“I welcome @POTUS’s announcement about the ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release—it is indeed a big step towards lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. I hope all parties will respect the agreement so the suffering of all civilians finally ends and all hostages are brought home respectfully,” he wrote.
“WHO stands ready to scale up its work to meet the dire health needs of patients across Gaza and to support rehabilitation of the destroyed health system. The best medicine is peace.”

The truce, which follows a 20-point peace plan unveiled by Trump last month, is expected to be signed in Egypt. It provides for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after more than two years of conflict triggered by Hamas’s surprise attack in October 2023.

Israeli officials have also indicated readiness to withdraw troops from parts of Gaza under the agreement’s first phase.

According to details of the deal, Hamas will release 20 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners within 72 hours of implementation. A Hamas source told AFP that the timing of the process would be announced on Thursday, while President Trump expressed confidence that “all the hostages will be coming back on Monday.”

DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH BUT UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Photo File: Trump speaks on Autism at the White House.

Despite the breakthrough, analysts caution that the agreement may not guarantee an end to the conflict.

The deal marks a major diplomatic victory for President Trump, whose direct involvement reportedly pressured both Israel and Hamas into compliance.

Unlike previous efforts, Trump is said to have adopted a hardline stance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning Hamas of “complete obliteration” should talks collapse. The negotiations were supported by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, while Iran — a key Hamas ally — played little visible role this time.

However, unresolved issues remain, including Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm, the scope of Israeli withdrawal, and the question of who will govern Gaza after the ceasefire.

UN, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY WELCOME DEAL

United Nations humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, also hailed the peace initiative, writing on X:

“Great news. Let’s get the hostages out and surge aid in – fast. Our teams are fully mobilised to get the trucks moving at scale and save lives.”

Fletcher emphasised the need for safe access for UN workers and swift delivery of humanitarian relief to Gaza, where famine was declared in August, with reports of widespread starvation.

Similarly, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas described the truce as “a prelude to a permanent political solution” that could pave the way for an independent Palestinian state. He pledged his readiness to support the implementation of the agreement.

ISRAELI CABINET EXPECTED TO RATIFY AGREEMENT

The Israeli security cabinet is expected to convene to ratify the deal before a full government vote. Under Israeli law, 48 hours must be given for citizens to appeal the list of prisoners set for release.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has called the deal “a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel,” though members of his far-right coalition remain opposed. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed not to support the agreement, insisting on “the true eradication of Hamas”.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

If approved, the ceasefire will take effect immediately, beginning with the release of hostages and prisoners, followed by phased Israeli troop withdrawals and large-scale humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.

Palestinians in Gaza and hostage families in Israel have begun celebrating the development, though observers note that lasting peace will depend on how effectively both sides uphold the agreement’s terms.

As Dr Ghebreyesus of WHO remarked, “The best medicine is peace.”