Anurag Kumar
In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday and expressed condolences over the loss of civilian life at the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza. In reiterating India’s steadfast adherence to the principles governing the Israel-Palestine conflict, Prime Minister Modi assured the Palestinian people of humanitarian aid shipments. “Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. Shared our deep concern at the terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region. Reiterated India’s long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue,” PM Modi tweeted.
Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. Shared our deep concern at the terrorism,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 19, 2023
Prime Minister Modi addressed the Palestine authorities for the first time since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, following Hamas’ unexpected offensive into Israel.
Prime Minister Modi earlier conveyed his solidarity with Israel and engaged in a conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. Prime Minister Modi expressed shock and concern on Wednesday regarding the civilian casualties of the ongoing conflict, following reports that thousands of people were slain in an assault on a hospital in Gaza. Although the Israeli Defense Forces cited an analysis report to prove that the attack was caused by a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist organization labeled by both Israel and the United States, no one accepted culpability for the incident.
What is India’s long-standing position in Israel-Palestine?
Following Prime Minister Modi’s statement endorsing Israel’s position, a discourse ensued regarding the official stance of India regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel and India maintain strategic diplomatic relations. India’s inaugural prime minister to visit Israel and Palestine is Narendra Modi. India opposed the 2017 United States and Israeli resolution designating all of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
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The ministry of external affairs earlier said India believes in long-standing support for the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine. “India 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. I think that position remains the same,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
In contrast, India vehemently denounces terrorism and the attack carried out by Hamas against Israel.
