Modi Assures Aid for Palestine

New Delhi: After the horrific strike at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday night in which at least 500 people were reported killed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening spoke to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed his condolences at the loss of civilian lives while assuring continued Indian "humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people". PM Modi also shared his "deep concern at the terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region" and "reiterated India's long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue". The latest developments indicate that New Delhi continues to express its strong support to the Palestinian people and cause even as it strengthens strategic ties with Israel.   

While Israel had earlier on Wednesday blamed the Palestinian militant organisation Islamic Jihad for the missile strike at the hospital, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry had blamed Israel for the attack. It may be recalled that after the terror attack on October 7 by militant group Hamas on Israel that triggered the ongoing bloodbath in that region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had on October 10 called up PM Modi and "updated" him on the situation. PM Modi had then told the Israeli Prime Minister that the "people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour" and had strongly condemned that terror attack.   

At his weekly briefing in response to a query, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has pledged annual contribution of US$ 5 million for the next two years (FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25) to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to support Palestine and Palestinian refugees and that New Delhi had so far contributed a total of US$ 29.53 million to the UNRWA between 2002 and 2023 for this. He added that the Indian annual contribution to UNRWA was increased from US$ 1.25 million to US$ 5 million in 2018.   

The MEA Spokesperson also said India had expressed its concern at the civilian casualties due to the ongoing conflict and that it remained concerned about the humanitarian situation. New Delhi also urged "full respect and strict observance of international humanitarian law". He pointed out that PM Modi had on Wednesday expressed deep shock at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, and had stated that "civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern" and that "those involved should be held responsible". PM Modi had also offered India's "heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured".

Mr. Bagchi said, "We have also expressed our concern at the civilian casualties due to the ongoing conflict. We also remain concerned about the humanitarian situation. We would urge the full respect and strict observance of international humanitarian law." On the terror attack on October 7 by militant group Hamas on Israel, Mr. Bagchi said, "You would have seen the comments by Prime Minister as well as our statement. We have strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack on Israel, and we believe the international community must stand together in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

On India's stand on the Palestine issue, he reiterated, "As regards Palestine, we have reiterated our long standing position of advocating the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel."

In a query on humanitarian assistance to Palestine, the MEA Spokesperson said, "India has been supporting Palestine and Palestinian refugees through significant contributions to the UNRWA."

On Operation Ajay launched by India earlier to facilitate the return from Israel of Indian citizens who wish to return", the MEA Spokesperson said a total of 1200 people had returned so far from Israel on five flights that included 18 Nepalese citizens. He also said there were about four Indians still in the Gaza Strip and about 12 or 13 Indians in the West Bank. Mr. Bagchi also said one Indian woman had earlier been injured in Israel (in a reported rocket attack) but that her condition is stable.