India Welcomes Israel-Hamas Ceasefire, Reiterates Need For Dialogue And Diplomacy

India supported the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, hoping it facilitates humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement welcoming the ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel.

Source : PTI

India has welcomed the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of intense fighting. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said it hopes the deal will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. 

"We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza," the Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement. "We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We have consistently called for the release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy," it added. 

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a truce and hostage deal, adding the agreement will halt the fighting in Gaza. 

The move was hailed as a "critical first step" by the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres who urged the parties to “seize this opportunity” to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region.

He also commended the mediators —  Egypt, Qatar, and the United States — for their dedicated efforts in brokering this deal. 

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday, January 19 as he announced the agreement in Doha. 

He called for calm in the Gaza Strip —  where at least 46,707 people have been killed since October 7 —  till January 19 when the ceasefire deal takes effect. 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez were among other global leaders who welcomed the ceasefire.