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Ceasefire

By Girish Linganna The prisoner-hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas has been completed successfully, and many are calling it a major victory for peace. Twenty Israeli hostages returned home in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, aid started flowing back into Gaza, and guns fell silent after months of devastating conflict. But anyone familiar with […]

The article A House Built On Sand: The Fault Lines In Trump’s 20 Point Gaza Peace Plan appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Hamas has handed over seven Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, fulfilling the first phase of a broad ceasefire and prisoner­exchange accord with Israel. The hostages are now in Israeli custody, and more releases are expected in the coming hours.

The released individuals—identified as Matan Angrest, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Alon Ohel, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor and Omri Miran—were transferred through Gaza to a reception point near the border, where they reunited with family members and began medical assessments. Under the terms of the deal, they will be swiftly transported to Israeli hospitals for further care.

Alongside the handover, Hamas published the names of all 20 Israeli captives slated for release in the deal’s first stage. Among the names are Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon and Avinatan Or—adding to the list previously released to the media. Israel has warned Hamas that any mistreatment or propaganda stunts during the transfer would provoke retaliation.

The agreement accompanying the hostages’ release calls for Israel to free more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. That includes women, children and individuals serving long sentences. As per the deal, Israel must also return the bodies of 28 deceased captives. Hamas has acknowledged some uncertainty about certain remains, citing burial under debris and loss of access to previous guard posts.

The exchange is part of a U. S.-brokered “21-point” plan, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and other parties. Provisions include a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from key areas in Gaza, the reopening of humanitarian corridors, and reconstruction efforts under an international framework. As part of the agreement, President Donald Trump and regional leaders are convening in Egypt to formalise implementation.

Hamas’ Gaza chief, Khalil Al-Hayya, said the group has secured guarantees from U. S. mediators and Arab sponsors that the conflict is “ended,” highlighting that the release of 20 living hostages would occur within 72 hours of the agreement taking effect. Hamas insists it will “faithfully uphold” its terms, while reserving the right to resume fighting if Israel fails to meet its commitments.

Israeli officials emphasised that the ceasefire and release process are conditional and subject to strict oversight. The Israeli cabinet has approved the deal, though several ministers from the far-right bloc opposed it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office warned that any violation by Hamas would void the agreement and trigger military responses.

Public reaction in Israel has been emotional. Tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch televised feeds of the transfers. Families expressed cautious optimism over the hostages’ return. In Gaza, displaced residents and aid agencies are gearing up to facilitate relief efforts under the newfound calm.

By Nitya Chakraborty There is a big possibility of renewal of India-US bilateral ties impacting the ongoing trade talks following the proposed one on one meeting between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the U.S. President Donald Trump during their presence in Kuala Lumpur to attend the summit of ASEAN members on October 26 […]

The article Trump-Modi Meet At ASEAN Summit In Malaysia Can Remove Irritants In Indo-US Ties appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty The Israel-Hamas peace deal announced by the US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night in Washington is a welcome development, however limited it be at the moment as the agreement between the two warring parties is only for the first phase of Trump sponsored deal involving the release of all hostages by […]

The article Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal Is Welcome But The Follow Up Is Crucial For Enduring Peace appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Hamas has announced that it will free the final Israeli hostages taken in its October 2023 assault on Israel, but insisted that other elements of a U. S.-backed 20-point peace plan remain subject to negotiation, leaving the path ahead fraught with uncertainty. President Donald Trump welcomed the announcement, calling for an immediate halt to Israeli bombardment and offering indications that he might allow flexibility on the broader proposal.

Under the deal endorsed by Israel, all hostages—alive and deceased—are to be returned within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance, in exchange for the release of around 1,950 Palestinian detainees. The agreement envisages a phased Israeli withdrawal, transfer of Gaza’s administrative functions to apolitical technocrats, and demilitarization of Hamas. But Hamas has declined to commit to disarmament, signalling that parts of the plan will undergo further negotiation.

Trump, in a public message, said Israel “must immediately stop” its bombing of Gaza and asserted that he believed Hamas was “ready for lasting peace.” He also warned that failure to accept the terms by the deadline—Sunday at 6 p. m. Eastern Time—would provoke severe consequences. Israel has given tentative backing to the first phase of the plan, though it maintains reservation about Hamas’s retention of weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the peace initiative in principle but imposed caveats: Israel’s withdrawal will be partial, and Gaza will remain under strong security oversight. Netanyahu rejected formation of a Palestinian state under this framework, warning that such a move would reward terrorism. He has also suggested that Hamas participants who commit to peaceful transition could be granted amnesty.

Egypt, Qatar and other regional powers are acting as intermediaries to push Hamas toward acceptance. Israeli officials have reportedly reduced ground operations in Gaza City following U. S. pressure, instructing troops to limit activities to defensive operations even as the air campaign continues. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups warn that any ceasefire in name must be accompanied by unimpeded aid delivery and infrastructure repairs.

Some opposition voices in Israel—particularly among far-right coalition partners—view the latest developments as insufficient, demanding continued military pressure. Families of hostages have expressed cautious optimism, although they remain sceptical of open-ended guarantees.

In Hamas’s statement, the group claimed that the hostage release marks a gesture of “good faith,” but stressed that Israel’s withdrawal, guarantees on the safety of Gaza’s population, and the future role of Palestinian governance must be negotiated further. It described disarmament as “off the negotiating table” and refused to accept unconditional terms.

Analysts caution that the hostages’ release, while important, does not resolve deep structural issues: the role of Hamas in governance, security guarantees for Israel, and Gaza’s long-term reconstruction remain unresolved. Regional watchers view the moment as the most significant opening for a potential ceasefire in years—but one that may collapse without strict adherence to implementation timelines and third-party oversight.

International leaders have responded with varying tones. Some support the deal as a rare breakthrough, while others urge caution, calling for clear mechanisms to enforce demilitarization and civilian protections. The United Nations has reiterated its demand for accountability under international law and its role in aid operations.

Iran has reopened its airspace and most airports to domestic and international flights after a total shutdown that began on 13 June amid escalating hostilities with Israel. Transit operations over central and western regions are permitted between 05:00 and 18:00 local time, though services from Isfahan and Tabriz remain on hold until essential safety measures are reinstated.

Authorities confirmed that both Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports in Tehran, alongside facilities in the north, east, west and south, are now operational during daylight hours. Western and central corridors are open solely to international transit flights, while eastern airspace had already been accessible continuously. Domestic flights to and from Tehran and regional airports will resume once infrastructure is fully restored in line with civil aviation guidelines.

The closure followed a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iran—targeting nuclear sites, missile production facilities and senior military figures—which prompted a robust Iranian response and prompted precautionary airspace closures across neighbouring nations, including Iraq, Jordan and the Gulf states. Airlines rerouted or cancelled flights as a prelude to the region-wide suspension of air travel.

A ceasefire that took effect on 24 June gradually paved the way for these reopenings. Initial access was granted to the eastern region on 25 June, subsequently extended to central and western sectors by 28 June. However, intermittent military alerts and infrastructure disruptions have delayed full normalisation, particularly in Isfahan and Tabriz, where further runway and navigation enhancements are ongoing.

The staggered reopening reflects Tehran’s cautious approach. Majid Akhavan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, made it clear that air traffic remains under stringent review. He urged travellers to monitor official announcements and refrain from heading to airports until confirmed schedules are issued, citing lingering security concerns.

Flight carriers are cautiously recalibrating their routes. Dubai-based Emirates, while slated to resume flights to Tehran on 5 July, continues to suspend services citing regional instability. Air Arabia, flydubai and other Gulf-based airlines are restoring routes to Iran incrementally, yet remain poised to implement rapid reroutes if tensions escalate. India’s airlines, affected by reroutes over Pakistan earlier this year, are closely tracking developments as Iran reopens key air corridors.

The restoration also supports humanitarian efforts, as demonstrated in June when Iran temporarily opened its airspace for Operation Sindhu, aiding the evacuation of around 1,000 students via charter flights. That exception underscored a willingness to prioritise civilian movement despite the turbulent context.

Analysts indicate that Iran’s role as a major air transit hub linking Europe and Asia makes its airspace a strategic asset for global aviation. The closure had already prompted prolonged flight schedules, increased operational costs and forced carriers into longer routes over Central Asia or Gulf nations. Renewed access is expected to alleviate congestion, reduce costs and enhance connectivity—provided the ceasefire endures.

Security remains the overriding determinant. The aftermath of Israeli strikes revealed Iranian air defences were significantly degraded, prompting internal crackdowns, arrests and increased surveillance across Tehran. This atmosphere continues to inform aviation authorities and airlines evaluating the risks of resuming services fully.

As daylight flight operations proceed, aviation experts caution that any flare-up could trigger speedier closures than in June. The Ministry has signalled readiness to reinstate restrictions at short notice. Safety advisories emphasise real-time assessments of missile threats, missile defence readiness and diplomatic ties.