Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the release of all those held hostage by Hamas for more than two years, saying it was a tribute to the courage of the families, US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resolve.
Let us tell you that India has fully supported President Trump’s efforts to bring peace in the Middle East.
“We welcome the release of all the hostages after being held for more than two years. Their freedom is a tribute to the courage of their families, President Trump’s unwavering peace efforts and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s determination. We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on Twitter.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier said that India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a lasting and just peace.
“We welcome President Trump’s leadership to make decisive progress in peace efforts in Gaza. The release of the hostages signals an important step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a lasting and just peace,” he said in a post on October 4.
Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages as part of the Gaza peace plan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed that the remaining 13 hostages have been freed by Hamas and are being returned to Israel after being handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
According to the IDF, the hostages are being flown to Israel along with IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) personnel for initial medical evaluation.
The IDF had earlier said that seven hostages had already been handed over to the Red Cross and were being delivered to Israeli forces waiting inside Gaza.
According to the IDF, the hostages were identified as Elkanah Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Aviator David, Rom Braslavsky, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Harkin, Ethan Horn, Matan Zangaukar, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Gali, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrist, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Ethan Mor and Guy Gilboa were identified as agents and escorted out of the Gaza Strip by special Israeli forces after being handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross.
Monday marked the end of a two-year war that began with Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 abducted, according to the Times of Israel.
Netanyahu on Monday nominated President Trump for the Israel Prize, the country’s highest civilian honor, calling him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
The announcement was made during a historic session of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, where Trump received a standing ovation and was honored for his leadership in brokering a peace deal that resulted in the release of all 20 surviving hostages and ended a two-year war with Hamas.
“I have seen many American presidents, but I have never seen anyone leading the world so quickly and decisively as our friend President Donald J. Trump,” Netanyahu said in his address.
Netanyahu also praised Trump’s record with respect to Israel, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the relocation of the US embassy, accepting Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, support at the United Nations, and his role in initiating the Abraham Accords.