European leaders lauded Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace in the Middle East, after the U.S. president announced that Israel and Hamas had “signed off on the first phase” of a deal to end the Gaza war Wednesday night.
In messages on social media, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, among others, heaped praise on Trump for his role in driving the deal.
“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by POTUS,” von der Leyen said, tagging Trump’s X account. Metsola said the deal provided a “pivotal moment for peace and renewal in the Middle East,” adding: “I commend the efforts” of Trump, as well as Egypt, Qatar and Turkey — Washington’s fellow interlocutors in the ceasefire talks — for getting the deal done.
Trump had earlier announced that Israel and Hamas had both agreed to a deal that would see the Palestinian militant group release all the hostages it took in its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and would lead to a broader peace between Palestinians and the Jewish state.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and Dutch PM Schoof both thanked Trump. Meloni, referring to “Donald Trump’s Peace Plan,” said: “I wish to thank President Trump for his relentless pursuit of an end to the conflict in Gaza.”
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer likewise referred to “President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza,” noting it had brought “a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been leading the push to recognize a Palestinian state, said: “I commend the efforts of President @realDonaldTrump, as well as the Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators” who helped make the deal possible.
But not all European leaders rushed to name-check Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said “The first steps of the agreement between Israel and Hamas are encouraging.” His post didn’t mention Trump’s role in striking the deal.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted the “major diplomatic accomplishment” as “a real chance to end a devastating war and release all the hostages,” before adding that the EU “will do what it can to support its implementation.” She also did not refer to Trump.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
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