The 15-month long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been paused following a ceasefire deal has been finalised and hostages will also be released. Amid global reactions on the ceasefire, India has also welcomed this development and a statement has been issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). On Thursday, India welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.
The announcement on the deal comes following 15 months of conflict in Gaza. In its reaction, India hoped that the agreement will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. The Ministry of External Affairs said, “We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza”. It said, “We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy”.
Phase One starts Sunday, according to mediator Qatar. It should include a six-week halt to fighting and the opening of negotiations on ending the war. Thirty-three of the nearly 100 hostages should be released over the period, although it’s not clear if all are alive. They include women, older adults and wounded people. Mediator the United States says this first phase also includes a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza. That will allow many displaced Palestinians to return to their communities.
Humanitarian assistance would surge, with hundreds of trucks entering Gaza each day. Any deal still needs the approval of Israel’s Cabinet. There are three phases. Phase Two is harder. Negotiations for this phase are to begin on Day 16 of the ceasefire. The phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers. Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. But Israel has said it will not agree to a complete withdrawal until Hamas’ military and political capabilities are eliminated.
And Hamas says it will not hand over the last hostages until Israel removes all troops. Phase Three calls for the return of the bodies of remaining hostages and the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which is largely devastated and faces decades of rebuilding.
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