India has warmly welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the accompanying decision for the release of hostages negotiated between Israel and Hamas.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday expressed optimism that this development would facilitate the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been devastated by the ongoing conflict.
“We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,” the MEA said in a statement.
India has maintained its consistent stance, urging the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and the resumption of dialogue and diplomacy.
“We have consistently called for the release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement added.
Key points of the ceasefire agreement:
The ceasefire, brokered after extensive negotiations in Doha by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, is set to take effect on Sunday at 12:15 pm local time, pending final approval from Israel’s Cabinet and Supreme Court.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani announced that 33 Israeli hostages would be released during the six-week initial phase, potentially paving the way for a permanent ceasefire.
This agreement involves several key measures:
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Gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
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Daily entry of 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including 50 trucks carrying fuel.
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Release of 33 Israeli hostages, prioritising women, children, and elderly individuals.
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Israel’s release of 30 Palestinian detainees for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli female soldier.
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By the end of the first phase, all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained since October 7, 2023, will be released.
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Qatar, Egypt, and the US will guarantee the implementation of the agreement.
Global reactions
US President Joe Biden hailed the agreement as a crucial step, stating, “Soon, the hostages will return home to their families.”
He confirmed that Israel would release Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal and emphasised the need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
During the ceasefire, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza to facilitate prisoner exchanges, the return of displaced individuals, and the retrieval of remains.
Negotiations for a second phase of the agreement will begin by the 16th day of the ceasefire, with discussions on the release of remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has inflicted devastating casualties. Hamas’s initial attack on southern Israel resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of approximately 250 individuals.
Israel’s subsequent military offensive in Gaza has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
As part of the agreement, the ceasefire seeks to address the immediate humanitarian crisis, including the return of displaced Palestinians and the reconstruction of Gaza, supervised by Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations.
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