Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu temporarily suspended his security cabinet's intense discussions on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release to take a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conversation, which Netanyahu's office described as a pivotal moment of international solidarity, came just as Israel greenlit the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's ambitious 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, marking a potential turning point after two grueling years of conflict.
Netanyahu had convened the security cabinet late Thursday to weigh the landmark agreement, brokered through marathon negotiations in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh and involving key U.S. figures like Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. As ministers debated the nuances— including the release of all 48 remaining Israeli hostages (living and deceased) in exchange for over 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, a full ceasefire, and phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—Netanyahu stepped away to connect with Modi. The call, lasting about 15 minutes, underscored the deepening India-Israel alliance and Modi's vocal support for the deal.
"Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement reached for the release of all the hostages," Netanyahu's office stated, highlighting Modi's praise for the "progress made under President Trump's Gaza Peace Plan." Modi, in a subsequent post on X, elaborated: "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 Israeli PM's office echoed the sentiment on X: "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."
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Resuming the meeting shortly after, Netanyahu secured unanimous cabinet approval for "phase one" of the plan, which CNN and Al Jazeera reported as an immediate ceasefire activation. "The government has now approved the outline for the release of all the hostages—the living and the dead," the PM's office announced early Friday, per The Jerusalem Post. Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya confirmed U.S. guarantees that this phase signals the war's "complete end," paving the way for aid surges, infrastructure rehabilitation, and a technocratic Palestinian governance body overseen by Trump's proposed "Board of Peace"—co-chaired with former UK PM Tony Blair.
The breakthrough builds on Trump's Wednesday Truth Social announcement that Israel and Hamas had "signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan," a framework unveiled last month emphasizing deradicalization, Hamas disarmament (with amnesty for those who comply), and safe passage for militants wishing to leave Gaza. At a White House cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump beamed with optimism: "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." He revealed plans for the hostages' release "Monday or Tuesday," a complex process involving international mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, and teased his own trip to Egypt for a formal signing ceremony.
Trump's plan, detailed in 20 points, also commits to reopening the Rafah crossing for aid—mirroring a prior January 2025 agreement—while ensuring Gaza becomes a "deradicalized terror-free zone." It envisions no forced displacements, with Palestinians free to stay, leave, or return, and prioritizes rebuilding schools, hospitals, and utilities to support 700,000 displaced children. Yet, thorny issues loom in subsequent phases: Hamas's full disbandment, long-term governance, and Israel's security assurances remain hotly contested, with explosions still reported in southern Gaza even as celebrations erupted in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square and Khan Younis.
Global reactions poured in, from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's hopeful interview with Israeli media—"Today, we are very happy that the bloodshed has ceased"—to endorsements by foreign ministers from Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the EU's Kaja Kallas, who seeks a European role in Gaza's transitional authority. As the first hostages prepare for handover and aid convoys gear up, Netanyahu's pause for Modi's call symbolizes not just bilateral warmth but a broader chorus of hope. With over 67,000 Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli lives lost since October 7, 2023, this fragile accord could herald an "everlasting peace"—or unravel under the weight of unresolved grievances. The world holds its breath as Trump eyes more deals, potentially drawing in Iran and expanding the Abraham Accords.
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