Govt expresses concern over Gaza, says free hostages, continue humanitarian aid

NEW DELHI: As war returned to Gaza after two months of ceasefire, India reacted cautiously to the development expressing concerns over the situation and seeking release of all hostages. Govt also sought continued

humanitarian aid

for the people of Gaza.
The response followed reports from Jerusalem and Cairo that more than 400 people were killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday.
"We are concerned at the situation in Gaza. It is important that all hostages are released. We also call for supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to be sustained,'' MEA said in a statement. India has strongly backed Israel's rights to defend itself from acts of terrorism since the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks that led to the current situation, but at the same time also repeatedly condemned the deaths of innocent civilians and called for respect for international humanitarian law.
Despite its close ties with Israel, India has continued to maintain its relations with Palestinian people. India also supports Palestine's membership of the UN. Since the beginning of the conflict, India has provided around 70 MT of humanitarian aid. It has also released $5 million last year and disbursed another $5 million this year to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is banned by Israel.