Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly paused an important security cabinet meeting on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release agreement to take a phone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to reports from The Times of Israel. During the conversation, PM Modi congratulated Netanyahu on the agreement reached for the release of hostages held in Gaza and described it as a major step toward restoring peace in the region. Netanyahu, in response, expressed gratitude for India’s continued friendship and unwavering support for Israel during challenging times. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation on regional security and global issues of mutual interest.
In his message, PM Modi acknowledged Netanyahu as a “long-time friend” and assured him that the relationship between India and Israel would continue to grow stronger. He hailed the ceasefire and humanitarian deal as a positive move that could bring much-needed relief to civilians affected by the prolonged conflict. Modi further stated, “India welcomes the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,” while strongly reaffirming that terrorism in any form is unacceptable anywhere in the world.
The conversation between the two leaders came shortly after PM Modi’s discussion with US President Donald Trump, during which he had also congratulated the American leader for what he described as the “historic Gaza peace plan.” In a post shared on X, Modi mentioned that he and Trump reviewed ongoing India-US trade negotiations and agreed to remain in close contact regarding future developments.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi publicly lauded Netanyahu’s leadership, calling the ceasefire agreement a testament to his determination and political will. He expressed hope that the release of hostages, coupled with the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, would help ease the suffering of civilians and pave the way for lasting stability in the region.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered after intense negotiations, marks the first significant breakthrough aimed at ending two years of continuous violence between Israel and Hamas. Under the terms of the deal, Hamas will release several hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli prisons.
The conflict, which reignited following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has caused immense devastation. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly 170,000 have been injured since the war began. The international community has welcomed the latest truce as a critical opportunity to halt bloodshed and lay the foundation for a sustainable peace process in the Middle East.
