PM Modi welcomes Hamas’s release of Israeli hostages

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas after more than two years of captivity, saying their “freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of US President Trump and the strong resolve of Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu.”

Lauding the US President’s efforts, Modi said, “We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region.”

Advertisement

Modi’s remark came shortly after Hamas released all the 20 remaining Israeli hostages who had been held captive since the brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The final group of detainees was handed over as part of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, bringing a harrowing 738-day ordeal to a close for the hostages and their families, according to global media reports.

The hostages were released two batches. The first batch of seven hostages included Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal. In the second batch, 13 more hostages were handed over to Israel.

Their release was part of a wider Gaza peace plan that also calls for the liberation of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, signalling a broader effort to de-escalate the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas.