NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza, calling it a “significant step” toward ending the conflict.Sharing a post on X, PM Modi said, “We welcome President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward.“He further underlined that India will “continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace.”The comments come as Trump pushes for a breakthrough in the Gaza crisis, with hopes pinned on the release of hostages and renewed talks between the warring sides.
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Trump on Friday issued an ultimatum to Hamas to agree to a Gaza peace deal with Israel by Sunday, 6pm (Washington DC time), warning that “all hell, like no one has ever seen before,” would break out if the deadline was missed.In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, DC time. Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”Also Read |We’ll see how it is’: Donald Trump gives Hamas 3-4 days to accept Gaza ‘peace plan’; warns of ‘sad end’ if rejectedTrump also urged Palestinians to move out of conflict zones ahead of what he hinted could be intensified strikes if Hamas rejected the deal.The ultimatum follows Trump’s announcement of a 20-point Gaza peace plan earlier this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.Talking about the 20-point Gaza plan, he said that the Middle East nations had agreed to a peace plan “after 3000 years,” assuring to “spare the lives of remaining Hamas fighters.”“Great, powerful, and very rich Nations of the Middle East, and the surrounding areas beyond, together with the United States of America, have agreed, with Israel signing on, to PEACE, after 3000 years, in the Middle East. THIS DEAL ALSO SPARES THE LIVES OF ALL REMAINING HAMAS FIGHTERS! The details of the document are known to the WORLD, and it is a great one for ALL! We will have PEACE in the Middle East one way or the other. The violence and bloodshed will stop. RELEASES THE HOSTAGES, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DEAD, NOW!” he added.Hamas further responded to Trump’s proposal stating that it agreed “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula” – if the proper conditions for the exchanges are met.Also Read | Who will govern Gaza? Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan — Explained
Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan
- Gaza will be transformed into a demilitarized, terror-free zone with no threat to neighbors.
- The region will be redeveloped to improve the lives of Gazans, AFP reported.
- If both sides accept, the war will stop immediately, Israeli forces will pull back, and hostages will be prepared for release.
- Within 72 hours of Israel’s approval, all hostages—alive or deceased—will be returned.
- After hostages are freed, Israel will release 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023, including women and children. For each deceased Israeli hostage, Israel will return 15 Gazan remains.
- Hamas members who disarm and commit to peace will be granted amnesty, while others can leave Gaza with safe passage.
- Full humanitarian aid will immediately flow into Gaza, covering infrastructure repair, hospitals, bakeries, and rubble clearance.
- Aid delivery will be managed by the UN, Red Crescent, and neutral international agencies, with Rafah crossing opened under agreed terms.
- Gaza will be run temporarily by a technocratic Palestinian committee, overseen by a new international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump, until the Palestinian Authority reforms and takes over.
- An economic plan will be launched to rebuild Gaza with input from global experts, attracting investment and creating jobs.
- A special economic zone with preferential trade terms will be created for Gaza.
- No one will be forced to leave Gaza; people may leave or return freely, with incentives to stay and rebuild.
- Hamas and other factions will have no role in governance. Gaza will be fully demilitarized, with weapons destroyed under international monitoring and buyback programs.
- Regional partners will guarantee Hamas and other groups comply, ensuring Gaza remains threat-free.
- A temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF), supported by Arab and global partners, will deploy in Gaza, training Palestinian police and securing borders with Egypt and Israel.
- Israel will not annex Gaza. As security improves, the IDF will withdraw gradually, handing control to the ISF, except for a limited security perimeter.
- If Hamas rejects or delays, aid and redevelopment will still proceed in areas controlled by the ISF and free from terror.
- An interfaith dialogue program will promote tolerance, coexistence, and peace narratives among Israelis and Palestinians.
- Once Gaza is rebuilt and the Palestinian Authority reforms, conditions may allow progress toward Palestinian self-determination and eventual statehood.
- The US will foster Israel-Palestine talks to set a long-term political framework for peaceful coexistence and prosperity.
Also read: Gaza peace plan: Hamas agrees to release all Israeli hostages; nods for further talks
