‘We Will Never Forget You:’ Celebrities Around the World React to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement

After more than a year of relentless violence that has claimed around 50,000 lives and wiped out entire generations of families, the world is finally witnessing the possibility of peace.

A man waves a Palestinian flag in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Ramadan Abed/Reuters

On Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire agreement. The deal, which will take effect on Sunday, January 19, includes an exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Following the announcement, global leaders and public figures began reacting, with messages of relief, remembrance, and skepticism about what comes next.

A World That Will Not Forget

Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Hatem Khaled/Reuters

For over a year, Gaza has been at the heart of a humanitarian crisis, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, hospitals overwhelmed, and families torn apart. The ceasefire announcement sparked celebrations worldwide, yet the wounds of war remain raw. As Palestinians in Gaza embrace this moment with cautious hope, many are also left wondering—can this ceasefire truly mark the end of suffering, or is it just a pause in a never-ending cycle?

Global Leaders React

World leaders quickly shared their responses to the agreement. Former U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the ceasefire as a step toward stability but urged global efforts to ensure lasting peace. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the devastation left behind and emphasized the need for international support in rebuilding Gaza. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed similar sentiments, calling for accountability and justice for the thousands of civilians who lost their lives.

Celebrities Speak Out

Celebrities who have been vocal advocates for Palestine since the beginning took to social media to express their relief—but also their skepticism.

Singer Kehlani, who previously faced backlash for her pro-Palestine music video Next 2 U, shared an emotional message, saying she “could not make up the amount of emotions inside” her as the news broke just after she performed in the Middle East. Kehlani has been extremely vocal and pro-active about her support for Palestine and has been seen attending Pro-Palestinian rallies in Los Angeles. 

Beauty mogul and founder of Huda Beauty, Huda Kattan posted a video of Palestinian children celebrating the ceasefire, accompanied by crying and praying-hand emojis. She also reposted a clip of U.S. President Joe Biden being asked whether he or President-elect Donald Trump deserved credit for the deal. Biden’s response—”Is that a joke?”—sparked controversy, with Kattan calling out the political motives behind the agreement.

“This was ego-driven,” she wrote, criticizing Biden for rejecting similar ceasefire proposals in the past. Huda Kattan has gone on record to say that she has cut friends off due to differences of belief regarding Israel’s genocide of Palestine, one of these is Desperate Housewives star – Eva Longoria. 

Activist Alana Hadid, 39, half-sister of Palestinian-American models Gigi and Bella Hadid has been vocal about Palestine for years, long before October 2023. 

We could not agree with Alana Hadid any more! Palestine is truly free, it is everyone else who is not. 

She took to her Instagram story to state, “Liberation is the goal and we can’t stop till we achieve it”

Supermodel Bella Hadid has been outspoken about the Palestinian struggle for years and has openly stated she is not afraid to lose out on jobs, brand deals and contracts due to her political stance. She is one of the most prominent figures in pop culture that supports Palestinians wholeheartedly. 

Bella, on Instagram: 

“Wrapping this baby boy and his kitty and his loved ones in so much love, #Ceasefire.”

Jerusalem-born singer Saint Levant paid tribute to the victims of the war, writing on Instagram, “Rest in peace to every soul lost to this evil regime. We will never forget you. Ceasefire today, now liberation.” 

He also has a song dedicated to Palestine called, “From Gaza, With Love.”

Rapper Macklemore who released the song Hind’s Hall in 2024. The song’s title is a reference to pro-Palestinian activists’ renaming of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University to “Hind’s Hall” in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

Shortly after the ceasefire announcement, Macklemore posted a heartwarming video of chlildren in Gaza reacting to the announcement. 

Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani shared a photo from a pro-Palestine rally, thanking God for the ceasefire and standing in solidarity with those who suffered. She was one of the mainstream Pakistani celebrities who has always been loud and proud about her support for Palestine. 

A handful of Pakistani celebrities have reacted to the news, most have celebrated and thanked God however some have expressed their skepticism! 

Actress Dananeer sent a much-needed reminder, Gazans are still being bombed and will continue to be until Sunday, January 19th. 

Sajal Aly reshared Plestia Alaqad’s instagram post that criticised the decision of a ceasefire after 15 long and destructive months. Plestia is a Palestinian journalist and poet who gained worldwide recognition due to her cover of the Palestinian genocide.

Actress Sanam Saeed Mirza also shared Plestia’s post to her Instagram story. 

Pakistani actor Adnan Malik took to his Instagram story to reshare Mehdi Hasan’s broadcast after the ceasefire was confirmed. 

While the ceasefire offers a much-needed pause in the bloodshed, many fear it may only be temporary. However, the global response has made one thing clear—Palestine is not forgotten, and the fight for justice is far from over.