NEW DELHI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- India Thursday welcomed a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas.

"We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza," India's foreign ministry in a statement said. "We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy."

The agreement includes an initial 42-day phase during which more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza will halt. The Israeli military will withdraw from populated areas to the outskirts of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their residence in the Gaza Strip.

Humanitarian aid will flow in, with 600 trucks entering Gaza daily, including 50 carrying much-needed fuel to restore electricity in the territory, according to Israel's state-owned Kan TV news. Enditem

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