In the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza city of Rafah that claimed 45 lives, India has expressed deep concern over the “heartbreaking” loss of civilian lives. The country also reiterated its stance on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
During a press conference, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern. We have consistently called for the protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict.”
Regarding Israel’s acknowledgment of the Rafah airstrikes, India noted, “We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic accident and announced an investigation into the incident.”
The Rafah Incident:
- At least 45 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes while sheltering in tents.
- The incident triggered massive global outrage.
India’s Stance on Palestine:
- India recognized Palestine in the 1980s.
- The country supports a two-state solution, with a sovereign, viable, and independent state of Palestine coexisting peacefully with Israel.
Israeli Retaliation and Escalation:
- The Israeli government’s military offensive is in retaliation for an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths and over 200 civilian kidnappings.
- Since the attack on Israeli territory, over 35,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
India’s Call for De-escalation: India has been urging for de-escalation of the situation and creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations towards a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with India calling for the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.