The loss of civilian lives in an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah is “heartbreaking”, India said today and called for respecting international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict.
Local officials in Gaza said 45 people, most of them sheltering in tents, were killed in the May 26 air strike on Rafah that triggered massive global outrage, including criticism from some of Israel’s closest allies.
“The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern for us,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
“We have consistently called for protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict,” he said.
Jaiswal was responding to a question on the situation in Gaza at his weekly media briefing.
“We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic incident and announced an investigation into the incident,” he said.
On Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognising Palestine amid the conflict, Jaiswal said India had done that in the 1980s.
“India recognised Palestine way back in the 1980s. It has been our long-standing position that we support a two-state solution which entails the establishment of a sovereign, viable, and independent state of Palestine within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace,” he said.
Israel has been carrying out its military campaign in Gaza as part of its reprisal for Hamas’ historic October 7 onslaught on Israeli cities.
Approximately 1,200 Israelis were slain by Hamas, and over 220 more were abducted; some of the hostages were freed following a temporary ceasefire.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 35,000 people, according to the Hamas-run authorities in the region.
India has been advocating for a de-escalation of the situation and setting up the groundwork for an early start to direct peace talks aimed at resolving the Palestine conflict between two states.
(With agency inputs)
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Gaza Conflict: India laments civilian deaths over Israeli strike on Rafah
