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

<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>”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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The move was hailed as a “critical first step” by the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres who urged the parties to &ldquo;seize this opportunity&rdquo; to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region.</p>
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<p>He also commended the mediators &mdash; &nbsp;Egypt, Qatar, and the United States &mdash; for their dedicated efforts in brokering this deal.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He called for calm in the Gaza Strip &mdash; &nbsp;where at least 46,707 people have been killed since October 7 &mdash; &nbsp;till January 19 when the ceasefire deal takes effect.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.</p>