Modi Praises Trump's Gaza Peace Plan and Netanyahu's Leadership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the agreement on the first phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, expressing hope for lasting peace in the region. In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted the strong leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, "We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu."

The agreement, announced by Trump, aims to pause fighting between Israel and Hamas and facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners. It marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing conflict that escalated after the Hamas attack on October 7, two years ago. Modi expressed his hope that the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid would provide relief to the people of Gaza and contribute to a sustainable peace.

Trump, in his announcement, stated, "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. 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." He also thanked the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their efforts in reaching this agreement.

The deal is expected to be presented to the Israeli Cabinet for approval. Once approved, Israeli forces will begin their withdrawal, a process anticipated to take less than 24 hours. Following this, Hamas has 72 hours to release hostages, with expectations that the first releases will occur on Monday.

The peace plan, which includes a 20-point framework, aims to establish a temporary governing board and create a "deradicalised terror-free zone" in Gaza. Modi had previously praised Trump's leadership in efforts to end the conflict, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian assistance and the need for a peaceful resolution in the region.