The deal was announced on Wednesday and the starting time is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, according to a statement from Qatar.

The agreement also includes desperately needed humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza following weeks of relentless Israeli attacks that have killed more than 14,100 people, including 5,600 children, and forced about 1.7 million from their homes.

About 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s attack on Israel.

Here are some reactions to the announcement:

European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Von der Leyen welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on the release of 50 captives and a pause in hostilities in Gaza.

“The European Commission will do its utmost to use this pause for a humanitarian surge to Gaza,” she said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch

Israel and Palestine Director Omar Shakir

“Following the mass atrocities of recent weeks, today’s agreement is welcome.

“Hostage-taking & blocking of life-saving aid are war crimes that are never justified. Human beings are not bargaining chips. Ceasefire or not, unlawful attacks should cease once and for all.”

Palestine

PLO Executive Committee Secretary Hussein al-Sheikh

“President Mahmoud Abbas and the leadership welcome the humanitarian truce agreement, appreciate the Egyptian [and] Qatari effort that has been exerted.”

The PLO statement called “for a comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people” and reiterated the need for “humanitarian aid, and the implementation of a political solution based on international legitimacy that leads to the end of the occupation and the achievement of the Palestinian people’s freedom, independence and sovereignty”.

Qatar

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X that the Gulf state hoped the deal would “establish a comprehensive and sustainable agreement” that would “put an end to the war and the bloodshed and lead to serious talks for a comprehensive and just peace process”.

We thank our partners who contributed to reaching the humanitarian pause agreement in Gaza, particularly the U.S. & Egypt. We hope that it will establish a comprehensive & sustainable agreement that will put an end to the war & the bloodshed, & lead to serious talks for a…

— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) November 22, 2023

United States

President Joe Biden

Biden welcomed the deal and thanked Qatar and Egypt for their efforts to secure the agreement.

“Jill and I have been keeping all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” he said in a statement.

He stressed it needed to be “carried through in its entirety” and that it was “important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Blinken, replying to Biden’s statement on X, applauded the role of the US in the deal.

“Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and relentless effort across the United States government,” he posted.

“While this deal marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza.”

Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and relentless effort across the United States government. While this deal marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza. https://t.co/gG2LlPMUhM

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 22, 2023

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Schumer, who leads the US Senate, said he was “pleased and relieved” that 50 captives would soon be returning to their families.

He said it was a “positive development” that the pause in fighting would “allow additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza for the millions of innocent Palestinians who have nothing to do with Hamas” and said the Senate would “continue working to pass additional humanitarian assistance for innocent Palestinians, and make sure that Israel has the aid it needs to defend itself to ensure Hamas can never again pose such a threat to Israel”.