The prime minister was one of the first world leaders to call the Hamas attack on Israel a terror attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the first world leaders to label Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel as a terror attack, has condemned Tuesday’s attack on a hospital in Gaza that killed 500 people.
In a post on social media on Wednesday, the prime minister said he was “deeply shocked” by those killed in the attack and offered his condolences to the families of those killed.
With Israel and Palestine still engaged in a blame game over who was responsible for the horrific hospital attack, Prime Minister Modi expressed concern over civilian casualties in the war and called for those involved in the attack to be held accountable.
“Deeply shocked by the tragic loss of life at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and ongoing concern. Those involved must be held accountable,” the Prime Minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Deeply shocked by the tragic loss of life at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a serious and ongoing concern.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 18, 2023
The post came almost at the same time that US President Joe Biden landed in Israel for a visit intended to show solidarity with the country.
India’s position
In a post shortly after Hamas launched 5,000 rockets at Israel in 20 minutes and began a multi-pronged attack by land, air and sea on October 7, Prime Minister Modi had said he was “deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel” and expressed India’s solidarity with the country in this difficult hour.
In an interview with NDTV on Tuesday, Israeli envoy to India Naor Gilon referred to this statement and said that India’s swift condemnation of Hamas terror attacks has earned the country a place on the table when it comes to resolving the current crisis .
While asserting that Israel trusts India, Mr Gilon said: “We saw the incredible emotional support for Israel. I think people, like Prime Minister Modi and India, who were quick to condemn the terror attack as a terror attack, which not everyone did in In the beginning, they bought themselves the right around the table. In the sense that they understood the situation,” Mr Gilon said.
Several other officials in Israel also welcomed India’s condemnation of Hamas’ attacks, saying it had earned the country a lot of goodwill at a time when India and Israel were growing closer. They also pointed out the good relationship between Prime Minister Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Modi had reiterated his support for Israel on October 10, when he posted that Mr Netanyahu had called him and given him an update on the deadly conflict.
“I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. The people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Palestine corner
The expressions of support were seen as important because India has historically supported the Palestinian cause. The war also broke out at a time when India has positioned itself to play a bigger role in the Middle East and experts say the situation will require the country to walk a diplomatic tightrope.
At a press conference two days later, the Foreign Office had said that the Prime Minister had made some comments about the conflict and that they were isolated. Asked about India’s position on Palestine, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the country has always advocated negotiations for an independent state of Palestine, which would live side by side with Israel.
“Our policy on Palestine is long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations for the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side, in peace with Israel. That position remains the same,” he added.
