Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, welcomed the release of 20 Israeli hostages by Hamas even as he praised US President Donald Trump's "sincere efforts" to bring peace to the region and the "strong resolve" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The hostages were released as part of the first phase of President Trump's Gaza peace plan.
Taking to social media, the prime minister said, "We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity."
"Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu," he said.
"We support President Trump's sincere efforts to bring peace to the region," Modi added.
Trump described the Gaza peace process, under which Israel is releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees, as "the dawn of a new Middle East" and that a "beautiful and much brighter future" appears suddenly within the region's reach.
"After two harrowing years of darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families," Trump said in an address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
President Trump claimed that the ceasefire he brokered was "the most challenging breakthrough of them all, the most challenging breakthrough maybe ever."
Israeli lawmakers chanted Trump's name and gave him a standing ovation after his address. Netanyahu hailed Trump as the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House and promised to work with him going forward.
The Israeli prime minister also thanked Trump for "unremitting help" in securing the release of the hostages even as the next phases of the peace deal is yet to be negotiated.
