PM Narendra Modi talks with Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and promises assistance for the Palestinians

Speaking to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sympathies for the loss of civilian life in an assault on the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza and gave him his assurance that India will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

While speaking with Abbas over the phone, Modi also reaffirmed India’s “principled position” on the Israel-Palestine conflict and expressed “deep concern” alongside him over regional terrorism, bloodshed, and the worsening security situation.

“I spoke with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. expressed my sorrow on the deaths of civilians at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will keep sending the Palestinian people humanitarian aid. ‘X’, Modi said, “Shared our great worry at the terrorism, bloodshed, and worsening security situation in the area.

The Prime Minister also “reiterated India’s long-standing, principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue.”

Since the Palestinian organization Hamas launched the unprecedented assault on Israel on October 7, Modi and Abbas had their first chat.

Additionally, the appeal occurred two days after an explosion that shook Gaza’s al-Ahli Arab Hospital and left approximately 500 people dead and caused to widespread international criticism.

While Israel claimed that a misfired rocket fired from Gaza by the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad was to blame for the explosion at the hospital, Palestinian officials accused Israeli air attacks.

In response to a query on the assault on the hospital in Gaza, the spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry, Arindam Bagchi, said that India stands in favor of rigorous adherence to international humanitarian law.

He said that the world community must work together to defeat terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations in reference to Hamas’s multifaceted assault on Israeli cities.

According to him, under “Operation Ajay,” some 1200 Indians and 18 Nepalese nationals have returned to India on five flights from Tel Aviv. The government is keeping an eye on the issue and will determine whether to make it easier for other individuals to do the same.

“We have strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack on Israel, and we believe that the international community must stand together in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Bagchi added.

He said that India has supported direct discussions for a two-state solution to the Palestine problem.

In respect to Palestine, he stated, “We have reaffirmed our long-standing position of advocating the resumption of direct negotiations towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel.”

“We have also voiced our worry on the ongoing conflict’s impact on civilian casualties. We continue to be worried about the humanitarian situation, according to Bagchi.

In response to a query on the assault on the Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, he replied, “We would urge the full respect and strict observance of international humanitarian law.”

The assault on the hospital claimed lives on Wednesday, and Prime Minister Modi expressed dismay at the news and said those responsible for the continuing conflict’s innocent losses should be held accountable.

“A critical and continuous worry is the number of civilian deaths in the ongoing battle. Those guilty need to be held accountable, Modi stated on X.

Bagchi said that India has been helping the Palestinian people in response to a query about humanitarian aid.

“Through sizeable donations to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), India has supported Palestine and Palestinian refugees. Between 2002 and 2023, $29.53 million was given to UNRWA, according to him.

“In 2018, India’s yearly donation to UNRWA rose from $1.25 million to $5 million. For the next two years (FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25), India has promised to provide $5 million annually, according to Bagchi.

The most recent battle began on October 7 when Hamas terrorists launched unprecedented and multifaceted strikes against Israel. To revenge the assaults, Israel has started a huge counteroffensive in Gaza.

Since the start of the war, more than 3,300 people have died and more than 12,000 have been injured in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

In response to a query, Bagchi said that no reports of Indian casualties have been made so far and that one Indian lady who has suffered injuries is doing fine.

A caregiver from Kerala had been hurt during the Hamas bombings.

Concerns throughout the world have been raised by the abrupt escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine. Leading nations including Germany, the US, France, and the UK emphasized how crucial it is to stop the situation from becoming worse.

US Vice President Joe Biden has previously been to Israel to support the Israeli people. Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister, also traveled to Israel.