‘Should’ve been done earlier': Former vice president Hamid Ansari on India sending relief to Palestine

India sent 38.5 tonnes of medical aid and disaster relief materials that have reached Egypt.

Published on: Oct 22, 2023, 21:25:59 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Aryan Prakash

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Former Vice President of India Hamid Ansari on Sunday said the relief aid by India to Gaza should have been sent earlier.

"It is a good thing and should have been done earlier," Ansari was quoted by PTI as saying. The ex-vice president's remark comes on a day when India's humanitarian aid to Palestine reached Egypt. The IAF C-17 aircraft had taken off from Ghaziabad's Hindon airbase with nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material including life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets among other necessary items.

Former Vice President of India Hamid Ansari. (PTI File Photo)

India's humanitarian assistance to Palestine comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

“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”, the prime minister had posted on social media platform X.

"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)", external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said on Thursday.

More than 4,741 Palestinians have been killed and 15,898 wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Hamas carried out coordinated strikes on Israel in the morning of October 7.

A new convoy of 17 aid trucks entered war-torn Gaza on Sunday as Israel stepped up strikes on the Palestinian enclave which is suffering a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the war sparked by Hamas's bloody attack, AFP reported.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.