Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s leadership in brokering progress towards peace in Gaza, describing the latest developments as a “significant step forward” in efforts to end the long-running conflict. Hostage Release Signals ProgressModi referred to the indications of the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, saying it marked an important milestone in the broader push to restore stability in the region. The plan reportedly includes the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack, and the transfer of governing authority in Gaza to other Palestinian groups. Cautious OptimismWhile Hamas has expressed willingness to release hostages and relinquish power, the group noted that further consultations among Palestinian factions would be necessary before accepting the full plan. The peace effort has also received backing from several Arab and Muslim-majority nations, who described Trump’s proposal as a potential breakthrough in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.