We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu,” PM Modi said in a post on X. “We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace,” he added.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza and release at least some hostages and prisoners in an agreement put forward by the Trump administration. This marks the biggest breakthrough in months in the devastating two-year-old war.

President Donald Trump wrote on social media, “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also shared his thoughts on social media: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”

Hamas stated that it had agreed to a deal that will lead to the end of the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the entry of aid into Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners for hostages. Hamas urged Trump and the mediators to ensure that Israel implements all the provisions of the deal “without disavowal or delay in implementation of what was agreed upon.”

This would be the third ceasefire reached since the start of the war.

The first ceasefire, in November 2023, saw more than 100 hostages—mainly women and children—freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners before it broke down.

The second ceasefire, in January and February of this year, involved Palestinian militants releasing 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel ended that ceasefire in March with a surprise bombardment.

The latest agreement offers hope for a lasting peace and the safe return of those held hostage amid ongoing conflict.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/pm-modi-welcomes-agreement-on-donald-trumps-peace-plan-for-west-asia-23597915