New Delhi [India], October 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the progress in peace efforts in Gaza and called the indications of the release of hostages a significant step forward.

In his remarks, he underscored that India would continue to "strongly support" all of the efforts towards a lasting peace. He also appreciated US President Donald Trump's leadership.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "We welcome President Trump's leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace."

Earlier on Saturday (local time), US President Donald Trump thanked world leaders in their support and coming together for bringing an end to the crisis unfolding in West Asia and said that he looked forward to seeing the hostages back home.

Trump said, "I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents and having some of the hostages, unfortunately, you know the condition they're in, come home likewise to their parents because their parents wanted them just as much as though that young man or young woman were alive. So I just want to let you know that this is a very special day, maybe unprecedented in many ways."

In his concluding remarks , the US President said, "We were given a tremendous amount of help. Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East, and we're very close to achieving that."

His video remarks came shortly after Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it's far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East."

The Times of Israel reported on Friday that Hamas had announced of having submitted its response to US President Donald Trump's proposal for ending the Gaza war. Hamas declared that it is prepared to release all remaining hostages under the terms laid out in the plan and that it is ready to immediately enter negotiations with the mediators to discuss the details.

Times of Israel further reported that Hamas referred to talks that still need to be held regarding the identities of the around 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners and bodies of slain Gazans who would be released in exchange for the 48 hostages, of which 20 are believed to be alive.
White House on Monday (local time) released a peace plan to end the two-year-old Gaza conflict following a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The peace plan included that Gaza will be a deradicalised, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours and will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.

The peace plan stated that If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal. (ANI)

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"India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards durable, just peace": PM Modi welcomes indications of Hostages' release