Did Netanyahu 'Pause' Security Cabinet Meet To Take PM Modi’s Call?

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly "paused" the ongoing security cabinet meeting to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, and congratulated him on the progress in the Gaza peace plan. To attend PM Modi's call, Netanyahu had paused the security cabinet meeting discussing Gaza ceasefire, reported the Times of Israel, citing a statement by the Israeli PMO. “Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the agreement reached for the release of all the hostages,” the statement read. According to the Israeli statement, PM Modi “noted that Netanyahu has always been a close friend and that their friendship will remain strong.”

Netanyahu thanked him “for his support of Israel, and the two agreed to continue working in close cooperation”.In a post on X, PM Modi said he reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world. “We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,” PM Modi said.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi spoke to United States President Donald Trump and congratulated him on the "success" of the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan for Gaza. It was the second phone call between PM Modi and President Trump in the last over three weeks.He hailed the American leader for his efforts to end hostilities."Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan," PM Modi said in a post on X. "Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks," he said.

The US announced that Israel and Hamas, fighting since two years, have agreed on the first phase of the Gaza peace plan. The first phase includes a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli cities on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Hamas also took 251 people as hostages, and over 50 of them are still in its captivity. According to the Health Ministry, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed.