Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly interrupted a security cabinet meeting regarding the Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release agreement to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per reports from Netanyahu’s office. Modi congratulated Netanyahu on the successful deal to release all hostages in Gaza, with Netanyahu expressing gratitude for India’s support. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to collaborate closely on global and regional affairs. Modi praised Netanyahu as a steadfast friend and highlighted the agreement’s importance in promoting peace and aiding the people of Gaza.
In a separate call, Modi commended US President Donald Trump on the “historic Gaza peace plan” and discussed progress in trade negotiations between India and the US. Earlier, Modi publicly commended Netanyahu’s leadership, attributing the ceasefire deal to his strong guidance. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which marks the first phase of efforts to end the conflict that began in 2023, involves the release of hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
The conflict, initiated by Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, has led to significant casualties in Gaza, with over 67,000 fatalities and approximately 170,000 injuries reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. Both leaders emphasized the importance of combating terrorism globally and fostering peace in the region.