New Delhi [India], October 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the release of all hostages by Hamas after more than two years in captivity, hailing it as a tribute to the courage of the families, the peace efforts of US President Donald Trump, and the resolve of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. India has expressed strong support for President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
“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. We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Earlier, PM Modi had affirmed that India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace. “We welcome President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace,” he stated on October 4.
All 20 living hostages were released by Hamas earlier in the day under the Gaza peace plan. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that 13 hostages freed by Hamas were on their way back to Israel after being handed over to the Red Cross in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, accompanied by IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) personnel for initial medical assessments. Seven other hostages had already been transferred earlier to the Red Cross and were en route to Israeli forces.
The freed hostages include Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Matan Zangauker, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Gali, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dallal. All were safely escorted out of the Gaza Strip by Israeli special forces after being transferred to the Red Cross.
Monday marked the formal end of the two-year war that began with Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in the abduction of 251 people.
In a historic session of the Knesset, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu nominated President Trump for the Israel Prize, the country’s highest civilian honour, calling him “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.” Netanyahu praised Trump’s decisive leadership, his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the relocation of the US embassy, acknowledgment of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, support at the United Nations, and role in initiating the Abraham Accords. (ANI)
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