Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was one of the first world leaders to call out the October 7 assault by Hamas on Israel as a terror attack, has condemned Tuesday's strike on a hospital in Gaza, which killed 500 people.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the PM said he was "deeply shocked" by the deaths in the attack and extended his condolences to the families of those killed.
Even as Israel and Palestine remain locked in a blame game over who was responsible for the horrific hospital strike, PM Modi raised concern over civilian casualties in the war and called for those involved in the attack to be held responsible.
"Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible," the Prime Minister posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 18, 2023
Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern.…
The post came at nearly the same time as US President Joe Biden landed in Israel on a visit which is meant to show solidarity with the country.
India's Stand
In a post soon after Hamas launched 5,000 rockets at Israel in 20 minutes and began a multi-pronged attack by land, air and sea on October 7, PM Modi had said he was "deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel" and expressed India's solidarity with the country in the difficult hour.
In an interview with NDTV on Tuesday, Israeli envoy to India Naor Gilon had referred to this statement and said that India's quick condemnation of the Hamas terror attacks has earned it a place on the table when it comes to resolving the current crisis.
Asserting that Israel trusts India, Mr Gilon had said, "We saw the incredible emotional support to Israel. I think that people, like PM Modi and India, who were fast to condemn the terror attack as a terror attack, which not everyone did in the beginning, they bought themselves the right around the table. In the sense that they understood the situation," Mr Gilon said.
Several other officials in Israel also welcomed India's condemnation of Hamas' attacks and said that it had earned the country a lot of goodwill at a time when India and Israel have been getting closer. They also pointed to the good relationship between PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
PM Modi had reiterated his support for Israel on October 10, when he had posted that Mr Netanyahu had called him and given him an update on the deadly conflict.
"I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," PM Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Palestine Angle
The messages of support were seen as significant because India has, historically, backed the Palestinian cause. The war also broke out at a time when India has been positioning itself to play a bigger role in the Middle East and experts said the situation will require it to walk a diplomatic tightrope.
During a press conference two days later, the Ministry of External Affairs had said the Prime Minister had made some comments on the conflict and they stand on their own. Asked about India's position on Palestine, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said the country had always advocated negotiations for an independent state of Palestine living side by side with Israel.
“Our policy with regard to Palestine has been long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side-by-side, at peace, with Israel. That position remains the same," he added.
Speaking at the G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit in New Delhi the same week, PM Modi said terrorism anywhere in the world and in any form was against humanity and emphasised that it was time for peace and brotherhood.
Calling for the world to move forward with a human-centric approach, he also said that conflicts and confrontations in any part of the world impact everyone and do not benefit anyone.
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