Netanyahu 'pauses' security cabinet meeting to speak with PM Modi on Gaza peace plan

Netanyahu pauses security cabinet meeting on Gaza deal to talk with Modi

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused Israel’s security cabinet meeting on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal to speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a statement from his office, reported by the Times of Israel.

“Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement reached for the release of all the hostages,” the statement said.

Modi also “noted that Netanyahu has always been a close friend and that their friendship will remain strong.” Netanyahu thanked Modi “for his support of Israel, and the two agreed to continue working in close cooperation,” the readout added.

The call came shortly after Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump to congratulate him on the historic Gaza peace plan.

"Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world,” Modi posted on his X account.

The conversation follows Modi’s earlier call with President Trump, in which he congratulated the US leader on the historic Gaza peace plan. During that discussion, the two leaders also reviewed positive developments in ongoing India-US trade negotiations and agreed to remain in close contact over the coming weeks.

“Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks," the PM said on X.

Israel and Hamas on Thursday reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire, signaling a potential end to more than two years of conflict. As part of the deal, Hamas will release hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails.

The agreement, the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the Gaza war, has been welcomed by both Israelis and Palestinians. It marks a significant step toward ending the conflict, which has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives, and securing the release of the remaining hostages captured by Hamas during the initial attacks.