Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin have both welcomed the announcement of the first phase of a ceasefire and peace deal for Gaza, which was announced on Wednesday, October 8.
On Wednesday evening, US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that "Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan."
Trump wrote: "This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!"
On Thursday morning, the AFP reported that the deal will be formally signed later on Thursday in Egypt.
While exact details of the agreement have yet to be made public, the AFP reported that Hamas will release 20 living hostages at the same time, and Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners - 250 among those serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since the start of the war.
The exchange should take place within 72 hours of the implementation of the deal.
The deal also includes an increase in aid entering Gaza, the "return of displaced persons from the south of the Gaza Strip to Gaza (City) and the north immediately," and "scheduled withdrawals" of Israeli troops.
The deal was largely welcomed in both Gaza and Tel Aviv.
VIDEO: 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 Celebrations as Israel and Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire deal
Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to free the remaining living hostages, in a major step towards ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel's… pic.twitter.com/s3izsoaddK
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 9, 2025
"Critical moment"
"I strongly welcome the announcement overnight by President Trump that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire and peace deal for Gaza," Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris said on Thursday.
"We are now at a critical moment that can see an end to the war," the Tánaiste said in a statement welcoming the news that
"There is an urgent need to implement a plan that can end the fighting, pave the way for the release of all Israeli hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to agreed lines and the entry of vital aid into Gaza.
"This historic moment, if grasped by all, can finally end the unconscionable human suffering. It can stop the dreadful bombing, silence the guns, end the famine and genocide, and allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"It is an opportunity to agree on a path to a permanent peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The road ahead will be challenging, including progressing towards a two state solution, but this is an opportunity that must be grasped.
"This is a significant moment after two horrific years. My thoughts today are with the people of Gaza, who have suffered so much, and with the hostages and their families.
"Ireland stands ready to assist in every practical way to achieve peace and to end human suffering."
Ireland stands ready to assist in every practical way to achieve peace and to end human suffering.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 9, 2025
"Ireland stands ready to assist"
In a subsequent statement, the Tánaiste said: "Following developments overnight in the Middle East, I can confirm that I have instructed my officials to intensify preparations for a substantial contribution to Gaza.
"This contribution will be two-fold, both in respect of the immediate surge in humanitarian aid that is needed without delay and a broader package for the reconstruction of Gaza. Ireland stands ready to assist in every practical way to achieve peace and to end human suffering.
"I can confirm that a consignment of 1,500 tents is being loaded by the International Organisation for Migration in Amman today, for delivery to Gaza in the coming days. It includes 750 tents from Ireland's humanitarian stocks and 750 from EU humanitarian stocks."
"Work towards a permanent and just peace"
Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin also welcomed the developments, writing on social media: "I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal in Gaza.
"I urge all sides to fully abide by this ceasefire and for the release of all hostages, and an immediate surge of humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine.
"I commend the diplomatic efforts by the US, and partners across the region and call on all sides to work towards a permanent and just peace. The war and the killing must stop."
I commend the diplomatic efforts by the US, and partners across the region and call on all sides to work towards a permanent and just peace.
The war and the killing must stop. (2/2)
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 9, 2025
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