‘May hostages return soon’: Modi on Trump’s Gaza peace bid

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday welcomed the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. He called it a strong step toward lasting stability in the region and praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.

“We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan. This reflects the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu,” Modi wrote on X. He said the release of hostages and greater humanitarian aid would bring relief to people in Gaza and open the path to enduring peace.

India continues to support every diplomatic effort that promotes calm and addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The country has consistently urged restraint and dialogue between Israel and Palestine.

Earlier in the day, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had accepted a US- and Qatari-brokered deal. The agreement includes the release of hostages, a partial Israeli troop withdrawal, and a pause in fighting. It represents the most significant breakthrough since the war began two years ago.

Israel and Hamas confirmed the broad terms of the deal separately. Families of hostages in Tel Aviv celebrated with fireworks, while residents in Gaza welcomed the development with cautious hope. The agreement arrived a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’s cross-border attack that ignited the ongoing war.

Indirect talks in Egypt produced the breakthrough. Negotiators agreed to implement the first phase of Trump’s 20-point framework to restore peace in Gaza. If both sides carry out the deal fully, it could mark the closest step yet toward ending a devastating conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and reshaped regional politics.

The war expanded beyond Gaza, drawing in Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. It also deepened Israel’s global isolation and triggered intense diplomatic activity. For the United States, the peace deal represents a rare diplomatic victory in a region torn by years of violence.

Reports suggest Hamas will release all 20 surviving hostages within days. In return, the Israeli military will begin pulling out from most parts of Gaza. However, details of the agreement remain confidential.

Despite optimism, uncertainty surrounds key issues. Observers question whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza once Israel withdraws. These questions will likely define the success or failure of Trump’s peace plan.

Still, both sides now stand closer to ending the war than at any point in the past year. The mood in Israel and Gaza reflects that fragile hope. In Tel Aviv, families of captives lit fireworks and waved flags. In Gaza, exhausted civilians looked to the sky, praying for the end of air strikes.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel. Israel responded with a massive military campaign that devastated Gaza. The fighting killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced millions, and drew global criticism.

Now, after two years of relentless bloodshed, the new deal offers a rare glimpse of hope — one that world leaders, including Modi, believe could lead to lasting peace if both sides stay committed.