Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, October 13, welcomed the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas for over two years, calling their freedom a testament to courage, determination and international cooperation.
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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 13, 2025
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In a post on X, PM Modi said, “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.”
The statement came soon after the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that the final 20 living hostages had been freed and handed over to Israeli authorities after 738 days in captivity in Gaza.
The IDF described the release as a “defining moment” for the country, coinciding with the eve of Simchat Torah, one of Judaism’s most joyous festivals.
“Today, after seven hundred and thirty-eight days, the last 20 living hostages have come home. This is a defining moment. A moment that belongs to the people of Israel and to all those who believe in humanity,” said IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin.
Families of the hostages and thousands of citizens took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to celebrate the homecoming. The release ended what many in Israel described as one of the longest and most painful hostage crises in the nation’s history.
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India’s steady stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict
India has consistently maintained a balanced position on the Israel-Hamas conflict, condemning terrorism while calling for restraint and protection of civilian lives. Following the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, New Delhi had strongly denounced the violence and called for the immediate release of hostages.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated that India supports “a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy”, along with the need for “safe, timely, and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance” to Gaza.
Diplomatic outreach across the region
Over the past two years, India’s leadership has actively engaged with key stakeholders across the Middle East and beyond. Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of External Affairs have held conversations with leaders of Israel and Palestine – including their Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers to encourage peace efforts.
India’s position has been reinforced at various international platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Voice of Global South Summit. Officials have said New Delhi’s approach reflects its broader commitment to dialogue, humanitarian values, and global stability.
