Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused a key security cabinet meeting on Thursday to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as discussions were underway on the ceasefire and hostage release agreement under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, The Times of Israel reported.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Netanyahu on the progress made in implementing Trump’s peace initiative.
“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.
Following their call, PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
Netanyahu’s office also shared details of the call on X, writing:
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just spoke with the Prime Minister of India. Narendra Modi conveyed his congratulations to Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement achieved for the release of all of the hostages.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli government voted in favour of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, according to CNN. The meeting, attended by senior ministers, formally approved “phase one” of the peace plan, which includes the exchange of hostages and Israel’s withdrawal from parts of Gaza, as reported by Al Jazeera.
“The government has now approved the outline for the release of all the hostages – the living and the dead,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced early Friday morning, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Officials have confirmed that the ceasefire will take effect immediately.
Present at the meeting in Jerusalem were US President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who both played key roles in brokering the agreement.
Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya told Al Jazeera that the group received guarantees from the US, ensuring that the first phase of the agreement “means the war in Gaza has ended completely.”
Earlier, President Trump announced that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of the peace plan, marking what he called a “momentous breakthrough” in the Middle East.
“Last night, we reached a momentous breakthrough in the Middle East, something that people said was never going to be done. We ended the war in Gaza, and I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday morning.
He added that all remaining hostages would be released by Monday or Tuesday, and mentioned plans to visit Egypt for a formal signing ceremony.
Trump also highlighted his administration’s efforts to end global conflicts, saying that “multiple wars had been brought to a close” during his tenure.
