New Delhi: India has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.On January 16, the US, Egypt and Qatar announced that the countries had overseen an agreement between Israel and Hamas have to a phased ceasefire and hostage-release deal following months of negotiations.In a short statement, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed hope that the agreement for the release of hostages and the end of conflict “will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.”The MEA’s statement mentions neither Israel, nor Hamas – the Palestinian outfit – by name.“We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy,” India said.While the ceasefire agreement has brought celebrations to Palestine, Israel’s attacks have continued, reports say.In September last year, India had notably abstained from a widely supported United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank within a year.India had earlier abstained from a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel.
