The Wire Staff 
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.