Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday the announcement of an “agreement” that will bring an end to the genocide in Gaza is a historic opportunity to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.
In a post on X, the premier praised US President Donald Trump’s leadership for steering months-long negotiations to this stage, calling it a reflection of his “unwavering commitment to world peace”.
The announcement of an agreement that will bring an end to the genocide in Gaza is a historic opportunity to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.
President Trump’s leadership throughout the process of dialogue and negotiations reflects his unwavering commitment to world…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 9, 2025
Shehbaz commended the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye for their sustained diplomatic efforts to secure a breakthrough.
He said the world must pay tribute to the Palestinian people, who have endured “unprecedented suffering” and ensure such tragedies are never repeated. He also voiced concern over fresh provocations at Masjid Al Aqsa, urging global powers to hold “occupiers and illegal settlers” accountable and protect ongoing peace efforts.
The prime minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue working with regional partners to promote peace, security, and dignity for the Palestinian people, in line with their aspirations and UN resolutions.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also welcomed the progress, saying Pakistan “commends President Trump, and Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye for their efforts” in securing an initial ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchange, and humanitarian access to Gaza.
He expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for a permanent ceasefire and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan welcomes the agreement on first phase of the Plan, including an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners, and unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza. We commend President Trump, and Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for their efforts.
We hope this will lead to a…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 9, 2025
Trump receives note on Gaza deal during White House event
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump was seen receiving a handwritten note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a White House roundtable discussion on the Antifa movement.
As captured by pool cameras, Rubio handed the note to Trump while Attorney General Pam Bondi was speaking.
Moments later, Trump read the note and told reporters, “I was just given a note by the Secretary of State saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East and they’ll get to need me pretty quickly. So I would take a couple of more questions.”
According to Reuters, the note — written on White House stationery — read: “You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce the deal first.” The White House has not yet commented on the exchange.
The statements came as Trump said he may travel to the Middle East later this week, with negotiators in Egypt reporting “encouraging progress” toward a comprehensive deal to end the Gaza conflict. The talks, underway in Sharm el-Sheikh, are centered on Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which proposes a phased ceasefire, release of hostages, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
According to mediators, Hamas has submitted lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners for a swap, while Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye have intensified coordination to remove final hurdles to the truce.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described the discussions as “encouraging,” and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the negotiations had made “a lot of headway.”
Celebrations in Gaza
Palestinians in Khan Younis poured into the streets in jubilation after Israel and Hamas signed off on the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal. Videos obtained by Reuters showed crowds dancing, clapping and waving flags near Nasser Hospital as songs blared from speakers and ambulances passed through cheering throngs.
The agreement, brokered under US President Donald Trump’s peace framework, includes an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange.
Hamas, however, urged Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully abides by the terms of the truce, which marks the most significant step yet toward ending the two-year war that has devastated the Palestinian enclave.
