Did you know? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly halted a crucial security cabinet meeting on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal to take a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ANI reported, citing foreign media quoting his office on Thursday.
The meeting was reportedly focused on a ceasefire and hostage release agreement under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan.
During the conversation, PM Modi congratulated Netanyahu on the progress made. “Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement reached for the release of all the hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said.
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Later, PM Modi posted on X, “Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world.”
Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2025
Israel approves US-brokered ceasefire deal
Netanyahu’s office also confirmed the exchange on X, noting that PM Modi conveyed his congratulations directly.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just spoke with the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi.@PMOIndia Modi conveyed his congratulations to Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement achieved for the release of all of the hostages.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 9, 2025
Meanwhile, Israel’s government voted in favour of the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage release deal, foreign media reported. The decision followed discussions within the security cabinet and subsequent meetings with ministers.
“The government has now approved the outline for the release of all the hostages–the living and the dead,” Netanyahu’s office said early Friday. According to officials, the ceasefire will take effect immediately.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were present during the vote in Jerusalem. The approved plan marks the start of “phase one” of the ceasefire, involving hostage exchanges and Israel’s withdrawal from parts of Gaza, foreign media reported.
Also Read: PM Modi welcomes agreement on Trump’s first phase of peace plan, praises PM Netanyahu’s leadership
Hamas hails deal as war-ending step
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said the group had received US guarantees that the first phase signaled the war’s end.
On Wednesday, Trump had announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the initial stage of a peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. He said the hostages were expected to be released early next week.
At a White House meeting on Thursday, Trump hailed the development as a “momentous breakthrough” in the Middle East, adding, “We ended the war in Gaza, and I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace.”
