Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to express his condolences and shared deep concern about the tragic loss of lives resulting from the bombing of Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. The devastating incident, which occurred on Monday, claimed the lives of hundreds of individuals and has ignited widespread protests across the Arab world. Israel, the subject of blame for the rocket attack, has continued to deny its involvement.
The hospital, located in Gaza under the control of Hamas, reported that the explosion led to the deaths of between 200 and 300 people, with the cause attributed to an Israeli air strike in retaliation for an attack by the Islamist group on October 7.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi stated, “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.”
This marks the second time Prime Minister Modi has expressed support for the Palestinian cause, which has traditionally received Indian backing. However, it’s worth noting that India and Israel have also strengthened bilateral relations in recent years, particularly following PM Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017, during which he did not visit Ramallah to meet with Palestinian leadership. This decision had led to speculation about a shift in India’s approach to the matter.
In the wake of the recent hospital bombing, Prime Minister Modi stated that he was “deeply shocked” by the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the families affected. Israel, on the other hand, has placed responsibility for the attack on a Palestinian group and questioned the evidence of casualties, bomb craters, and images from the demolished hospital. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has indicated that its initial findings suggest Israel is not accountable for the bombing.
U.S. President Joe Biden, who is presently on a visit to Israel, has stated that an “errant rocket” fired by a “terrorist group” was the cause of the devastating explosion at the Gaza hospital. The bombing disrupted Mr. Biden’s scheduled visit to Jordan on Tuesday, thwarting U.S. efforts to garner Arab support for Israel’s “right to defend itself.” The situation in the region remains complex and subject to ongoing investigations and international diplomatic efforts.
Sources By Agencies