PM Modi Speaks To Palestinian Prez Abbas; Condoles Death Of Civilians At Gaza Hospital

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a telephone conversation with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas to convey condolences over the loss of civilian lives in an attack on the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza.

During the phone call, PM Modi assured him that India will continue to send humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. "Spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority 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," the PM said on X.

"Reiterated India's long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue," the Prime Minister added.

This was the Prime Minister's first conversation with Abbas since Hamas carried out the unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. However, an explosion rocked the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing about 500 people on Tuesday.

While Palestinian authorities blamed Israeli air strikes for the explosion at the hospital, Israel claimed it was caused by a misfired rocket launched from Gaza by the militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

On the other hand, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, replying to a question on the attack on the hospital in Gaza, said India is for strict observance of the international humanitarian law.

"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," Bagchi said.

On the Palestine issue, he said India has been in favour of direct negotiations for having a two-state solution. "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," he said.

"We have also expressed our concern at the civilian casualties due to the ongoing conflict. We also remain concerned about the humanitarian situation," he stated.

"We would urge the full respect and strict observance of international humanitarian law," he said, replying to a question on Tuesday's attack on Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza.

When asked about providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, Bagchi stated that India has consistently offered its support.

"India has been supporting Palestine and Palestinian refugees through significant contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). A total of USD 29.53 million has been contributed to UNRWA between 2002 and 2023," he said.

"The Indian annual contribution to UNRWA was increased from USD 1.25 million to USD 5 million in 2018. India has pledged an annual contribution of USD 5 million for the next two years (FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25)," Bagchi said.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in over 3,300 casualties with more than 12,000 people wounded in Gaza since it began.