International reactions welcoming the exchange deal between Hamas and Israel and Biden: Just the beginning

Many international organizations and countries welcomed the existing humanitarian truce between Israel and the Palestinian factions, which entered into force on Friday at 07:00 local time.

Many international organizations and countries welcomed the existing humanitarian truce between Israel and the Palestinian factions, which entered into force on Friday at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT).

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, expressed his hope that the temporary humanitarian truce in Gaza would turn into a long-term ceasefire.

“I hope that this first day of the humanitarian truce will be followed by many more, and will lead to a long-term humanitarian ceasefire for the benefit of the people of Gaza, Israel and beyond,” Griffiths said in a post on the X platform on Friday evening.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement: “200 trucks were sent from Nitsana to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. 137 trucks were unloaded of their loads at an UNRWA reception point in Gaza, making it the largest humanitarian aid convoy to be received in the Strip.” Since last October 7.”

He added: "129,000 liters of fuel and 4 fuel trucks also entered Gaza. 21 critically ill patients were evacuated from northern Gaza, as part of a large-scale medical operation."

According to the statement, "Aid was provided to hundreds of thousands of people, including food, water, medical supplies, and other humanitarian materials."

The United Nations welcomed the release of 24 hostages held in Gaza since October 7 and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all other hostages, according to the statement.

Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described in a blog post on the social networking site X on Friday the release of the first batch within the prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas as “good news.”

Schulz said: "It is good news that the first batch of hostages have finally been released, and we are having difficulty understanding what they and their families have gone through in recent weeks."

The German Chancellor indicated that this result came thanks to a diplomatic contribution. He expressed his thanks to everyone who made an effort to reach the agreement, stressing that "today can only be the beginning."

For her part, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in her account on the X website that she was very relieved that there were four German citizens among the hostages released in Gaza.

Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that the truce in the war between Israel and Hamas represents “important progress” in the conflict, and he welcomed the release of prisoners held by Hamas.

“Australia welcomes the release of the hostages and the cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza,” Albanese said on the social media platform X. He added: "The developments that occurred today represent important progress and Australia welcomes them."

Japan

The Japanese Foreign Minister expressed her hope that the humanitarian truce in Gaza will be implemented continuously and that the cessation of hostilities will continue.

Kamikawa said in a press conference by the minister in the capital, Tokyo, on Saturday, that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is getting worse and that they are concerned about its spread throughout the region.

She added: "We hope that the truce will be implemented steadily, that the hostages will be released and that the cessation of hostilities will continue."

She added: “At this time, it is important to proactively continue diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and quickly defuse the crisis.”

Biden: This is just the beginning

On the other hand, US President Joe Biden said on Friday that “the release of the hostages in the Gaza Strip is just the beginning.”

He added in a press conference while spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Massachusetts, "The release of the hostages in Gaza is just the beginning, and more are expected to be released tomorrow and in the next few days."

Biden stressed that there are “real opportunities” to extend the temporary humanitarian truce that has entered into force in Gaza.

He continued, "There are real opportunities to extend the truce between the Palestinian Hamas movement and Israel." He stressed "the need to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East."

Biden concluded his speech by saying that it is time to work on “renewing” the two-state solution to establish peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

On Friday morning, the first temporary humanitarian truce for 4 days between Israel and the Palestinian factions came into effect since the outbreak of the devastating war that Israel has been waging on the Gaza Strip since last October 7.

The humanitarian truce agreement includes the release of 50 Israeli prisoners from Gaza, 13 of whom were released, in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, 39 of whom were released, and the entry of hundreds of trucks loaded with humanitarian, relief, medical and fuel aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip.

The Turkish President confirms the increasing demand for halal products and services

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the demand for certified halal products and services is increasing because these products are clean, healthy and preferred by Muslims. He added that the size of the global halal market currently amounts to $5 trillion, and includes various sectors, most notably food.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “The demand for certified halal products and services is increasing because these products are clean, healthy, and preferred by Muslims.”

This came in a video message to the “Ninth World Halal Summit” and the tenth edition of the “Expo” exhibition for halal products for the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, on Saturday.

President Erdogan pointed out that "the total size of the global halal market currently amounts to $5 trillion, and this includes various sectors, led by food, tourism, cosmetics and finance."

He renewed his call for all OIC countries to become members of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), thus eliminating the problems and disputes related to the granting and accreditation of halal certificates.

President Erdogan also pointed out that "Turkey has shown the great importance it attaches to this issue through the Halal Certification Authority that it established."

He added: "By always supporting our organization and its activities, we will ensure that the halal sector reaches the position it deserves in our country."

It is noteworthy that the World Halal Summit and the accompanying exhibition are held under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency.