EU chief says Hamas response to Trump plan ‘encouraging,’ end of Gaza war ‘within reach’

By AFP 4 October 2025, 10:48 am

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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her annual State of the Union address during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on September 10, 2025. (SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomes Hamas’s reaction to a peace deal proposed by US President Donald Trump and says halting the war in Gaza is “within reach.”

“Hamas’ stated readiness to release hostages and engage on the basis of the recent proposal is encouraging,” von der Leyen writes on X. “This moment must be seized. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages are within reach.”