In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, emphasized the importance of upholding the rights of Palestinians and adhering to international humanitarian law. During his visit to Malaysia, Jaishankar condemned the October 7 attack on Israel as terrorism while acknowledging the loss of innocent civilian lives in the prolonged conflict.
The October 7 attack, initiated by Hamas, resulted in approximately 1,160 deaths in Israel, predominantly civilians, with around 250 individuals taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has caused significant casualties in Gaza, with at least 32,490 people killed, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Despite earlier truces and hostage deals, tensions remain high, with ongoing hostilities and unsuccessful mediation efforts.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a “two-state solution” and emphasizing the rights of Palestinians to their homeland. He urged all parties involved to consider international humanitarian law in their responses to the conflict.
As violence continues to escalate, Israeli forces have intensified attacks on Gaza, including targeting hospitals, despite calls from the UN Security Council for a ceasefire. Efforts to negotiate a truce and secure the release of hostages, facilitated by US and Egyptian mediators in Qatar, have so far yielded no results, with both sides blaming each other for the deadlock.
Tensions between Israel and its key ally, the United States, have heightened over concerns about dire food shortages in Gaza and the rising civilian death toll. The US opposes Israel’s plans to expand its ground offensive into densely populated areas like the southern city of Rafah, where up to 1.5 million people, mostly displaced by the conflict, reside.
The situation remains precarious, with the international community closely monitoring developments and urging all parties to prioritize the protection of civilian lives and abide by international laws and norms.
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