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Indian-origin leaders welcome Gaza ceasefire, urge focus on lasting peace

Shri Thanedar, Priti Patel, and Nikki Haley have commended the Israel-Hamas truce as the first step toward stability.

(L-R) - Shri Thanedar, Priti Patel, Nikki Haley / Courtesy: ‘X’ via @RepShriThanedar, @pritipatel, @NikkiHaley

Prominent Indian-origin politicians from the United States and the United Kingdom have welcomed the ceasefire agreement announced on Oct. 9 between Israel and Hamas, describing it as a significant step toward ending nearly two years of conflict in Gaza.

U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar, UK Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley each expressed cautious optimism about the deal, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian access and the release of hostages.

Also Read: Leaders react to agreement on first phase of Trump's Gaza deal

“Glad to see a ceasefire in Gaza. Hopefully, this is a lasting peace that brings humanitarian aid to Palestinian people and security for Israel,” Thanedar said in a post on X. The Michigan Democrat, an Indian immigrant and first-term lawmaker, called for balanced diplomacy reflecting the diverse communities he represents.



In London, Patel called the agreement a “crucial moment” for the hostages held by Hamas. “It is vital that every single hostage is released and returned to their loved ones. Their suffering has been unbearable,” she said, urging stronger global coordination on humanitarian relief and counterterrorism efforts. Patel, the daughter of Ugandan-Indian refugees, has previously pushed for increased British engagement in Middle East peace initiatives.



Haley, who served as the 29th U.N. ambassador under Trump from Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2018, described the ceasefire as proof that “bold action and strong alliances can bring results.” In her statement, she praised cooperation between the U.S., Israel, and Arab nations, framing the deal as a product of “peace through strength.”



The U.S.-brokered framework, developed under President Donald Trump, outlines a 72-hour initial phase beginning Oct. 10. The plan includes the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the entry of humanitarian aid for Gaza’s displaced residents.

Israeli officials are expected to finalize the agreement shortly, while Hamas has pledged to begin releasing captives. The truce follows months of stalled negotiations in Egypt and Qatar and marks a pause in hostilities that began after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in more than 43,000 Palestinian deaths.

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