India on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the decision for the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed hope that this development would pave the way for safe and sustained humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
“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 stated.
India reiterated its consistent stance, advocating for the release of hostages, a ceasefire, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
“We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement added.
The ceasefire agreement was brokered through weeks of negotiations in Doha by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres too welcomed the deal for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza, calling it a “critical first step” towards peace in the region.
“I welcome the announcement of the deal for ceasefire and hostage release”, he said on Wednesday and commended Qatar, Egypt and the US for brokering the deal.
“Humanitarian situation is at catastrophic levels,” Guterres said.
“Our priority now must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict,” he said.
About 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in the Israeli onslaught in retaliation for the Hamas terrorist attack in which about 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 were taken hostage on October 7, 2023.
Nearly half the 2.1 million people of Gaza have lost their homes and most of the zone’s infrastructure has been destroyed.
“It is imperative that the ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support the major increase in urgent life-saving humanitarian support,” Guterres said.
“This deal is a critical first step, but we must mobilise all efforts to also address broader goals,” he said.
“I urge the parties and all relevant partners to seize this opportunity to establish a credible political process to a better future for Palestinians Israelis and the broader region, ending the occupation (of Palestine territories) and achieving a negotiated two state solution, with Israel and Palestine leading side by side in peace and security,” he said.
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