Overview

• President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of his Gaza plan, with hostages expected to be released soon and Israeli forces to pull back to an agreed line.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Trump, congratulated him on the plan’s progress, reviewed what he called good momentum in India–U.S. trade talks, and said they would stay in close touch.
• Modi also phoned Benjamin Netanyahu; Israel’s Prime Minister paused a security cabinet meeting on the ceasefire and hostage deal to take the call, according to the Israeli PMO.
• Modi welcomed the agreement on releasing hostages and increasing humanitarian aid for Gaza and reiterated that terrorism in any form is unacceptable.
• Reporting describes a temporary ceasefire and staged exchanges of remaining living hostages for Palestinian prisoners with initial Israeli withdrawals, while key questions on Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s interim governance remain under discussion as India–U.S. trade negotiations continue despite tariff strains and congressional pressure.