The Syrian government expressed hope that the announced ceasefire in the Gaza Strip would help end civilian suffering and open the way for humanitarian efforts, as residents of Gaza await the actual implementation of the truce.

In a statement on Thursday, October 9, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “welcomes the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza and hopes that this development will contribute to ending the suffering of civilians and pave the way for urgent humanitarian and relief efforts, setting the stage for regional stability.”

The ministry expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts led by Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the United States to reach the agreement.

The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, following the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation launched by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), during which Israeli soldiers and civilians were captured. The attack was met with Israeli military operations that killed 67,137 people, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Ahmad Mowaffaq Zaidan, media adviser to the Syrian president, wrote on Facebook on Thursday, “We are very happy about the end of the aggression against beloved Gaza. May God accept the martyrs, heal the wounded, and bless Gaza with days of peace and stability.”
Zaidan added, “Gaza’s story has exposed what remains of humanity.”

Hamas and Israel reached an agreement on Wednesday, October 8, following indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, attended by Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Egyptian intelligence head Hassan Mahmoud Rashad.

A source familiar with the deal said that Israeli hostages could be released by Saturday, October 11, under the U.S. plan to end the war in the enclave, noting that the Israeli army will begin the first phase of a partial withdrawal from Gaza within 24 hours of signing the agreement.

A Hamas source said that the release of living hostages will take place within 72 hours of the Israeli government’s approval of the deal.
Hamas officials added that recovering the remains of deceased hostages, estimated at around 28 people, will take longer, as they are still trapped under Gaza’s rubble.

Hamas Approves Trump’s Plan

The movement also announced its approval of the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on October 3, aimed at achieving a ceasefire and complete withdrawal from Gaza, along with the release of all Israeli prisoners, both living and deceased, as outlined in Trump’s proposed exchange formula.

According to the White House, the plan stipulates that:

• Gaza will become a demilitarized and “terror-free” zone posing no threat to its neighbors.

• The Strip will be redeveloped for the benefit of its residents who have “suffered enough.”

• If both parties accept the proposal, the war will end immediately.

• Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed line in preparation for releasing the hostages.

• All military operations, including airstrikes and shelling, will be suspended, and front lines will remain frozen until conditions for a full phased withdrawal are met.

• Within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance of the deal, all hostages, alive and dead, will be returned.