Did PM Modi Congratulate Israeli PM Netanyahu on Gaza Peace Deal Progress?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi congratulated Netanyahu on Gaza peace deal progress.
- Focus on humanitarian assistance and the release of hostages.
- Continued negotiations between Israel and Hamas under US facilitation.
- Potential revival of the Abraham Accords.
- Complex challenges for Netanyahu amidst global scrutiny.
New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to extend his congratulations on the advancements made under US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace initiative.
In a message posted on X, Prime Minister Modi stated: "I spoke with my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to commend him on the progress achieved under President Trump’s Gaza peace initiative. We are enthusiastic about the agreement concerning the release of hostages and the increase in humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza. I reaffirmed that terrorism, in any form, is wholly unacceptable globally."
His dialogue with Netanyahu comes right after a discussion with the US President earlier that day regarding the Gaza peace agreement.
PM Modi shared on X, "I had a conversation with my friend, President Trump, to congratulate him on the successful execution of the historic Gaza peace plan. We also reviewed the positive strides made in trade discussions and agreed to maintain close communication in the upcoming weeks."
This phone conversation occurred on a day when Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on the initial phase of the peace deal proposed by Trump.
This marks the second phone call between these two leaders within a month.
Previously, after two years of intense conflict, Israel and Hamas consented to the initial phase of the peace plan suggested by US President Donald Trump, which commenced with the release of hostages held by the Palestinian group and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
This significant development in the negotiations, facilitated by the US, occurred exactly two years and a day after the brutal assault by Hamas on Israel that initiated the conflict.
During the assault, Hamas killed approximately 1,250 Israelis and took around 250 individuals hostage.
Officials in Gaza reported that around 67,000 individuals, primarily civilians, lost their lives during Israel’s retaliatory actions, which devastated much of the region, while the UN warned of famine-like conditions due to Israel’s restrictions on relief supplies.
After months of negotiations interrupted by Israel bombing a building in Qatar where Hamas negotiators were located, talks gained traction when President Trump discussed the ongoing attack with Netanyahu and rallied leaders from various Arab and Muslim-majority nations to exert pressure on Hamas.
President Trump unveiled a 20-point peace strategy for Gaza, beginning with Hamas freeing hostages and Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
This was intended to lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and Hamas disarming, with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, playing a personal role in the negotiations alongside Trump’s Special Representative, Steve Witkoff.
If fully realized, the Gaza peace deal could pave the way for the revival of the Abraham Accords initiated during Trump’s first term and facilitate its expansion.
This agreement resulted in the establishment or renewal of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
Netanyahu is currently facing global isolation, with a vast majority of nations condemning the assault on Gaza and advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Domestically, there is mounting pressure to ensure the safe return of hostages.
However, he also confronts resistance from right-wing factions within his ruling coalition, who are advocating for a complete takeover of Gaza and the removal of Palestinians from the region.
As the violence persisted in Gaza, the local populace, caught between Hamas and Israel, began to grow restless, while Arab nations started to push Hamas towards an agreement.