India hails Gaza hostages’ release, pledges support

India on Monday welcomed the release of all surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas under a US-backed peace plan and pledged its support for all efforts aimed at a lasting peace in the region, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the “unwavering peace efforts” of President Donald Trump.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Hamas freed all 20 living hostages who were held in the Gaza Strip, while the release of some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners by Israel was underway as part of the conditions of a ceasefire that is part of the peace deal. The exchange occurred as world leaders gathered in Egypt for the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

“We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity. Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu,” Modi said ina social media post that tagged Trump and Netanyahu.

“We support President Trump's sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” he said.