New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him and gave him an update on the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has killed over 1,600 people so far.
The Prime Minister said he assured Mr Netanyahu that India stands with Israel in “this difficult hour”. He also underscored that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms.
“I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” PM Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The call between PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart comes at a time when the US, UK, Germany and France issued a joint statement expressing their “steadfast support” for Israel and unequivocally condemning Hamas and its acts of terrorism.
The conversation is all the more significant because Palestine’s envoy to India has said that India is a friend of both Israel and Palestine, and must step in to help resolve the crisis.
‘Reaction To Israel’s Actions’
In an exclusive interview with NDTV on Tuesday, Palestine Ambassador to India, Abu Alhaija blamed Israel and the international community for the war, which has now entered its fourth day.
“What has happened is a reaction to what Israel is doing in the West Bank. The international community is responsible for the war. The UN has passed 800 resolutions on Palestine. Israel has implemented none. If Israel ends its control on the occupied territories in Palestine, the attacks will also end,” Mr Alhaija, who is an appointee of the Palestine Authority government led by President Mahmoud Abbas, said.
Mr Abbas’ government controls the West Bank while the Gaza Strip is under the control of Hamas. The ambassador said Palestine is against the killing of civilians and made an appeal for India’s intervention to help find a peaceful solution.
“Our president is in touch with several European countries to help negotiate. India is a friend to both. We want India to intervene and help us negotiate,” he said.