India has expressed its support for the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The MEA voiced its hope that this agreement would facilitate a safe and ongoing supply of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

In a statement, the MEA remarked, “We welcome the announcement regarding the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We have consistently advocated for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.”

On Wednesday, Qatar and the United States disclosed a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas, expressing optimism that the deal could pave the way for a permanent resolution to the conflict in Gaza.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani announced during a press conference that “the two parties involved in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal,” adding that the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden expressed satisfaction with the progress, describing the negotiations as among the “toughest” of his presidency.

Hamas characterized the ceasefire as a result of the “legendary steadfastness of our great Palestinian people and our valiant resistance in the Gaza Strip.”

Under the current draft, hostilities in Gaza are set to cease for 42 days, during which numerous Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released. In this initial phase, Israeli troops will withdraw to the outskirts of Gaza, allowing many Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes as humanitarian aid increases.

The key question remains whether the ceasefire can endure beyond this first phase, which will hinge on further negotiations anticipated to commence in the coming weeks. In these discussions, Israel, Hamas, and mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar will need to address the critical issue of Gaza’s governance, with Israel insisting on the dismantling of Hamas.

Failure to reach an agreement for the second phase within the 42-day timeframe could lead Israel to resume its military operations in Gaza aimed at neutralizing Hamas, despite the ongoing captivity of numerous hostages.

Hamas has reportedly agreed to the draft of the ceasefire deal, although Israeli officials have indicated that details are still being finalized, leaving open the possibility of changes to the terms or a complete breakdown of the agreement.

According to the plan outlined in the Associated Press report, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel. By the end of this phase, all living women, children, and elderly individuals held by Hamas should be freed.

Approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza, comprising both civilians and soldiers, with military assessments suggesting that at least a third of them may no longer be alive.

On the first official day of the ceasefire, Hamas is expected to release three hostages, followed by an additional four on the seventh day, after which weekly releases will continue.

Determining which hostages and how many Palestinians will be exchanged is complex. The 33 hostages to be released will include women, children, and those over 50—primarily civilians—but the agreement also stipulates that all living female soldiers will be freed. Hamas will prioritize the release of living hostages, but if the total does not reach 33, the group may turn over deceased hostages. Additionally, not all captives are held by Hamas, which could complicate efforts to secure their release from other militant groups.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was injured in a knife attack during an alleged burglary attempt at his Mumbai home in the early hours of January 16, 2025. The incident has caused widespread shock in the entertainment industry and prompted reactions from political leaders across various parties, with many celebrities expressing their outrage and concern.

Jr NTR, who recently collaborated with Saif in ‘Devara Part 1’, voiced his shock at the incident. He posted on X, “Shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif sir. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health.”

Actress Pooja Bhatt expressed her worries regarding the attack and questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement. In her post on X, she wrote, “Law and order. We have law… what is law?” In a follow-up tweet, she remarked, “Can Mumbai Police control this anarchy? We need more police officers in Bandra. This city, particularly Bandra, has never felt so unsafe. Local police are our first protectors. It is their duty to ensure that criminals do not feel comfortable.”

Actor Raza Murad described the incident as devastating, pointing out the extensive security measures in Saif’s building, which include multiple layers of security checks and CCTV cameras. He questioned how the assailant managed to breach such security and suggested that the intention behind the attack needs to be investigated further, emphasizing confidence in the Mumbai Police’s ability to apprehend the perpetrator.

Saif Ali Khan’s team confirmed he is “out of danger” following surgery. The attack occurred around 2:30 AM, after which he was transported to Lilavati Hospital by his son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, and another family member. They expressed gratitude to the medical staff, specifically thanking Dr Niraj Uttamani, Dr Nitin Dange, Dr Leena Jain, and their teams.

In response to the attack, Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared his condolences on X, wishing Saif a swift recovery and strength for his family during this challenging time. Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her concern, praying for Saif’s recovery and asserting confidence in the legal system to hold those responsible accountable. She also extended her thoughts to Saif’s family.

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule labelled the incident “worrisome” and assured that Saif is safe in the hospital while awaiting official updates from the family and police.

During a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut highlighted the alarming law and order situation in the state, noting that Saif, a Padma Shri awardee, and his family had recently met with Prime Minister Modi. He expressed grave concern over the safety of the public, emphasizing a troubling trend of increasing violent incidents in Mumbai.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the SpaDeX docking experiment, marking a significant advancement in India’s space capabilities. Early on Thursday, January 16, 2025, ISRO joined the ranks of the USA, Russia, and China by mastering the complex technology required for spacecraft docking in orbit.

Launched on December 30, 2024, by the PSLV C60, the two satellites involved in the experiment, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), reached their designated positions and executed a flawless docking maneuver. This operation was closely monitored by the team at ISRO’s Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at the Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC).

Celebrating this achievement, ISRO shared on social media, “Docking Success Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment. India became the 4th country to achieve successful space docking. Congratulations to the entire team!”

Following the successful docking, ISRO has maintained control over the newly unified satellite structure and plans to conduct undocking and power transfer tests in the forthcoming days. This mission, beyond its immediate success, aims to lay the groundwork for more ambitious endeavors such as manned lunar missions, sample returns from the moon, and potentially an Indian Space Station.

The SpaDeX mission also serves as a demonstration of vital technologies like electrical power transfer between docked spacecraft, which will be crucial for future in-space robotic operations and composite spacecraft management post-undocking.

ISRO stated that the next steps involve validating the docking process through ground simulations and ensuring the mission’s objectives continue smoothly with subsequent experiments planned over the mission’s expected life span of up to two years.

This milestone not only demonstrates ISRO’s growing capabilities in space technology but also promises to bolster India’s position in future international space exploration initiatives.