Australian Leaders Praise Trump and US for Securing First Stage of Israel-Hamas Peace Plan

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have thanked Donald Trump for securing the first stage of a peace plan in Gaza.

Trump announced on Oct. 8 (U.S. time) that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a deal involving the release of hostages, an exchange of prisoners, and the withdrawal of military forces.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Wong expressed support for the plan and urged all parties to respect its terms.

“Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza,” the statement said.

“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 Australia had consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza.

“We thank President Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledge the important role of Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye in delivering this agreement.”

Albanese and Wong said Australia strongly supports the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza.

“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 contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution.”

In parliament on Oct. 9, Albanese described the plan as a “ray of light” after the last two years.

The Australian government previously joined Canada, the United Kingdom, and France in formally recognising a Palestinian state ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The decision was called out as a “vanity project” by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump Reveals Details of Plan

In a post to Truth Social, Trump revealed hostages would be released soon, while Israel would be withdrawing their military presence on the ground.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our peace plan,” he said.

“This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed 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 we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this historic and unprecedented event happen.”

The White House later shared an image of Trump with the caption, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, while more than 250 people were taken hostage. Since then, more than 67,000 have died in Gaza according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

Coalition Says United States Has Shown ‘Strong Leadership’

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash also welcomed this announcement from Trump.

“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.

The Coalition drew attention to its steadfast support of the United States in comparison to the Albanese government’s approach.

“We have stood with Israel and the United States through this conflict,” Ley and Cash said.

“Such an outcome is why the Australian government should always have stood with our closest ally, the United States.

“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.”

Senator Cash also released her own statement on X praising the United States for showing strong leadership.

“We all hope this marks a genuine step toward a lasting peace that guarantees Israel’s security and ends Hamas’ campaign of terror,” she said.

“Hamas must now immediately release every Israeli hostage who was brutally abducted more than two years ago.”