Taoiseach Simon Harris, pictured here in October 2024.RollingNews.ie

Ireland's Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have both welcomed the Israel - Hamas ceasefire deal announced on Wednesday, January 15 while also reiterating their support for a two-state solution.

The phased deal, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, will see a ceasefire come into effect on Sunday as well as provisions for the release of hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid.

In a statement on Wednesday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he welcomes the deal, adding that he hopes it will receive the formal approval of the Israeli government.

He said the "brutal war" led to the deaths of thousands of civilians, including 17.000 "innocent and vulnerable children," as well as more than 100,000 being physically injured or maimed.

He said the hostages, who have been held for more than 465 days, "have endured the most horrific suffering and distress."

The Taoiseach continued: “I hope that all sides will seize this opportunity, fully honouring their commitments, allowing hostages to return to their families and the people of Gaza to begin rebuilding their lives and I hope that it will lead to a permanent arrangement.

“The international community must play its part too, surging aid into Gaza, supporting a renewed Palestinian Authority to bring stability and governance to Gaza, and working to put a process in place that can lead to lasting peace.

“This will only be achieved through a two-state solution, with the State of Israel living in peace and security alongside a sovereign State of Palestine.

“I pay warm tribute to those who have worked so hard over many months to bring today’s agreement about, including the United States and leaders in the region including in Qatar and Egypt.”

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In a separate statement, Tanaiste Micheal Martin also welcomed the agreement, calling it "long-awaited."

"Far too many innocent people have been killed, in Gaza and in Israel, since this conflict commenced," he said.

"We look forward to the release of all hostages held in captivity by Hamas and their return to their families as a matter of urgency.

"We need to see a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza, return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced as part of the conflict can return."

The Tanaiste continued: "Palestinian Authority governance is crucial in this regard, as is the role of UN and humanitarian agencies, including UNRWA, who must be allowed to operate fully and without hindrance.

"I commend the facilitators, notably the US, Egypt and Qatar, for their sustained efforts over recent months and urge that these discussions are sustained with a view to ensuring full implementation of this agreement.

"Ireland remains convinced that implementation of the two-State solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians."

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Three phased deal

In a statement on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden said the ceasefire and hostage deal came following many months of diplomacy alongside Qatar and Egypt.

In a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said the plan is "the exact framework of the deal I proposed back in May - exact - and we got the world to endorse it."

The deal agreed to on Wednesday has three phases.

The first, six-week phase will see a "full and complete ceasefire" begin this Sunday.

It will also see the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women, the elderly, and the wounded. Biden said Americans will be among the hostages to be released in the first phase.

In exchange, Israel will release "hundreds" of Palestinian prisoners, Biden said.

During phase one, Palestinians can return to their neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza.

A surge of humanitarian assistance into Gaza will also begin in phase one.

Biden continued: "During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get to phase two, which is a permanent end to the war."

Biden said there are number of details to negotiate to move from phase one to phase two and that if negotiations go beyond the planned six weeks, the ceasefire will remain as long as negotiations continue.

Phase two will see the release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers. All Israeli forces will be withdrawn from Gaza and the temporary ceasefire will become permanent.

In the final, third phase, any remains of hostages that have been killed will be returned to their families and a "major reconstruction plan" for Gaza will begin.

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"Speaking as one team"

The ceasefire announcement comes just five days before Biden exits the White House and US President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Monday. Biden's  White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk was involved in talks, as was Steve Witkoff, envoy of President-elect Trump to the Middle East.

In his press briefing on Wednesday, Biden noted: "This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but its terms will be implemented for the most part by the next administration.

"These past few days, we have been speaking as one team."

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"700 days of failure and one day of success"

Closing his briefing, Biden invoked the ceasefire in Northern Ireland.

"My friend for years in the United States Senate, former Senator George Mithcell, who did so much to forge peace in Northern Ireland, said about diplomacy: 'It is 700 days of failure and one day of success.'

"Well, we've had many difficult days since Hamas began its terrible war. We encountered roadblocks and setbacks.

"We've not given up.

"And now, after more than 400 days of struggle, the day of success has arrived.

"God bless all the hostages and their families. May god protect the troops of all those who work for peace."