E-Paper
‘Unacceptable’: India's strong words as it condemns Gaza humanitarian crisis
India issues a strong condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel continues its operations against Hamas in Rafah.
India on Monday issued a strong condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel continues to fight the militant group Hamas. India said the rise of civilian deaths amid the ongoing crisis is “simply unacceptable”.
India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, condemned the civilian deaths on both sides in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, saying that there is a potential for growing instability in Gaza in the near future.
Speaking at the 10th UNGA Emergency Special Session on Palestine, Kamboj said, “The conflict in Gaza has been going on for over seven months, and the humanitarian crisis it has triggered has been increasing. There is also the potential for growing instability in the region and beyond. In this context, we view the UNSC's adoption of resolution 2728 as a positive step.”
Read more: Gaza war: Indian working with UN killed as vehicle comes under attack in Rafah
"India's position on the conflict has been clearly articulated on more than one occasion by our leadership: One, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children. The resulting humanitarian crisis is simply unacceptable. We have strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict. International law and international humanitarian law must be respected by everyone under all circumstances," she added.
While speaking on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Kamboj asserted that Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 last year deserved equivocal condemnation of the forum, saying that their is no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking.
Read more: ‘Message to Jill Biden’: Cynthia Nixon, Mark Ruffalo and others call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza on Mother's Day
“The terror attacks in Israel on 7 October were shocking, and they deserve our unequivocal condemnation. There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking. India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” she said.
Reiterating India's stand on the two-state solution of the matter, Kamboj said, “My leadership has repeatedly emphasized that only a Two-State solution, achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides on final status issues, will deliver an enduring peace.”
(With inputs from ANI)
