Overview

• Israel’s government approved the outline for the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal under President Trump’s plan, with officials quoted saying the truce would begin immediately.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on the agreement, with Israeli reports noting Netanyahu paused a security cabinet meeting to take the call.
• In posts on X, Modi welcomed the initial phase, praised Netanyahu’s leadership, and stressed the release of hostages alongside increased humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called Modi’s praise “shocking” and “morally atrocious,” citing accusations against Netanyahu over Gaza and faulting Modi for silence on Palestinian statehood and West Bank settlements, which India has historically addressed since recognising Palestine in 1988.
• Opposition figures labeled the outreach “selective diplomacy” and mocked President Trump’s repeated claims about halting “Operation Sindoor,” sharpening the political attack at home.