In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night to congratulate him on the breakthrough Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump.
The phone call came as Israel’s security cabinet paused its discussions to approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal, marking a critical turning point in the months-long Gaza war.
What Modi and Netanyahu Said
“Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement reached for the release of all the hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, confirming the conversation.
Modi later posted on X: “Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world.”
The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel also posted about the call, highlighting the warm exchange between the two leaders.
Ceasefire and Hostage Release Approved
Shortly after the call, the Israeli government voted in favour of the Trump-brokered 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, CNN reported.
“The government has now approved the outline for the release of all the hostages — the living and the dead,” Netanyahu’s office announced.
ALSO READ: ‘Radicalism, violent extremism have no space in democracy’: PM Modi tells Keir Starmer on Khalistani issue
According to officials, the ceasefire will take effect immediately. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attended the meeting in Jerusalem where the agreement was finalized.
What the Peace Plan Includes
Under the first phase of the agreement, Israel will exchange hostages and withdraw from parts of Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya confirmed receiving guarantees from the U.S. that the ceasefire means the war in Gaza “has ended completely.”
President Trump called it a “momentous breakthrough” and announced that all hostages are expected to be released early next week.
“We ended the war in Gaza, and I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully, an everlasting peace,” Trump said at the White House cabinet meeting.
A Diplomatic Moment with Global Ripples
India’s show of support through Modi’s call underscores New Delhi’s growing diplomatic footprint in Middle East affairs. It also reflects India’s firm stance against terrorism and support for humanitarian outcomes in conflict zones.
The ceasefire, if fully implemented, could mark the end of one of the most volatile conflicts in recent times and set the tone for broader peace efforts in the region.
