New Delhi: Palestine has requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call for “an immediate ceasefire” and take a “resolute stance” against the atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza.
In a congratulatory message sent to the Indian PM on taking over as third term, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa wrote that “as a global leader and a nation that values human rights and peace, India holds a significant role in bringing an end to the genocide in Gaza”.
He called for “India to utilize all diplomatic channels to call for an immediate ceasefire, increase humanitarian aid to Gaza to help alleviate the suffering, collaborate with the International Community to ensure the protection and safety of Palestinian civilians, and take a resolute stance against the atrocities being perpetrated”.
The letter dated June 12 also said that Palestine appreciated India’s “steadfast support and solidarity” towards the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.
On October 7 last year, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages who were taken into Gaza.
This prompted a strong military response from Israel, which initiated a large-scale invasion of Gaza. Over the next nine months, more than 36,000 people, including women and children, were killed due to Israeli military actions.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly expressed “solidarity” with Israel following the October 7 terror attack. However, a week later, India nuanced its stance, reaffirming its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and advocating for a two-state solution. It had voted in favour of UN General Assembly resolution that asked for Palestine to be given additional powers in the world body.
India has consistently refrained from explicitly criticizing Israel, maintaining that all forms of terrorism must be condemned. Nonetheless, New Delhi has called for the protection of civilians, a return to dialogue for a peaceful resolution, and access to humanitarian aid.
In October 2024, India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution that called for a humanitarian pause in the conflict and on another resolution in the UN Human Rights Council that urged countries to impose an arms embargo.
Since then, it has voted in favour of resolutions that call for a humanitarian ceasefire, but not mentioned the term explicitly in national statements.
However, when the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in March, India termed it as a “positive development”.
As reported by The Wire, Indian companies supplied ammunition to Israel following the October 7 attack and the onset of the Gaza operation. Additionally, India has sent workers to Israel to help alleviate the manpower shortages caused by its ban on Palestinian workers.
