India Welcomes Ceasefire and Hostage Release Agreement in Gaza

New Delhi: India on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the arrangement for the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed hope that this development would facilitate sustained humanitarian aid to the region. In an official statement, the ministry said, “We welcome the announcement of an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. We hope that this will lead to a safe and continuous supply of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”

India reiterated its consistent position advocating for the release of hostages, an immediate ceasefire, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The statement emphasized, “We have continuously called for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.”

The ceasefire agreement, achieved after weeks of negotiations in Doha involving Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, was formally announced by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. The agreement includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages in the initial 42-day phase, with a focus on women, children, the elderly, and those who are ill or injured. The deal also holds the potential for a lasting ceasefire.

US President Joe Biden confirmed this significant development, remarking, “It’s a good morning now.” He highlighted that the agreement includes a reciprocal release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. During the first phase of the ceasefire, displaced Palestinians are expected to return to their neighborhoods, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza will significantly increase. Biden also noted that Israel and Hamas would engage in further negotiations to secure a permanent end to the conflict.

As part of the agreement, Israeli forces are anticipated to withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza to facilitate the exchange of prisoners, the return of displaced individuals, and the recovery of remains.

The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has had devastating consequences. The Hamas attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 individuals. In response, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has led to over 46,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

The ceasefire is set to take effect at 12:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, pending final approval from Israel’s cabinet and Supreme Court. This marks a crucial step towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis and potentially achieving lasting peace in the region.