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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has heralded the signing of United States President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan by Israel and Hamas as “a cause for hope”.
As Question Time began on Thursday, Albanese welcomed the long-sought agreement to bring peace to Gaza, brokered by the US, Arab League, Turkiye, Qatar and Egypt, overnight.
It followed Trump’s announcement that the “first phase” of his 20-point peace framework had been agreed to by Hamas and Israel, meaning the imminent withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza “to an agreed-upon line”.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 people, many of them women and children, according to local authorities.
Albanese welcomed the announcement, commending global diplomatic efforts “vital” to getting it across the line.
“Today, we see a ray of light,” Albanese told the House of Representatives.
“There is growing international momentum to bring peace and security to the Middle East and we must all continue to work together to build on this.
Albanese reiterated calls for Hamas — the political and military group that rules Gaza — to lay down its arms and play no future role in Gaza.
“President Trump’s plan also rejects the annexation of forced displacement of the Palestinian people because the only path to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East remains a two-state solution,” he said.
In a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Albanese urged “all parties to respect the terms of the plan”, stating there is a “long road to recovery in Gaza”.
The return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 is anticipated on Saturday, with almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners also released from Israeli prisons as part of the agreement.
US President Donald Trump has described the signing of phase one of the agreement as “a great day”. Source: AAP / Alex Brandon/AP
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said the US-brokered deal “should inspire hope in Australia and across the world” for enduring peace.
She said it showed that “careful diplomacy delivers results”, heralding it as “the start of the end of this war.
“We remain hopeful today’s announcement will be borne out over the coming days,” she said on Thursday.
Jewish groups have been supportive of the peace plan as it ensures the return of the remaining hostages.
The Australia-Palestine Advocacy Network has previously slammed Trump’s proposal, claiming it offers no justice or peace and fails to guarantee sovereignty for Palestinians.
— With additional reporting from Australian Associated Press
