India raises concern on civilian casualties in ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict

India has voiced deep concern over the deteriorating security situation and largescale loss of civilian life in the ongoing IsraelPalestine conflict urging the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and restarting direct negotiations through deescalation and ending violence The remarks by Indias Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador R Ravindra came on Tuesday at the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle EastIndia is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and largescale loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict The mounting humanitarian crisis is equally alarming Ravindra said He said the escalation of hostilities in the region has only exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation and has once again underscored the fragile nature of the ceasefireCivilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern All parties must protect civilians especially women and children The unfolding humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed Ravindra said India urged the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and for restarting direct negotiations including through deescalation and eschewing violenceAlso read The Israelis can make their own decisions Biden on ground invasion of GazaCurrent escalation has once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of credible direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine Every effort must be made to create conducive conditions for the resumption of these talks he said Ravindra said India has always supported a negotiated twostate solution to the IsraelPalestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side in peace with Israel taking into account the legitimate security concerns of IsraelTowards this we reiterate the need for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations he said Welcoming all efforts of regional and global players aimed towards restoring normalcy Ravindra reaffirmed Indias firm commitment to achieving a just peaceful and lasting solution to the IsraelPalestine issue The UNSC ministerial meeting held under the Brazilian Presidency of the Council was addressed by UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres Israels Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen Palestines Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad AlMaliki and US Secretary of State Antony BlinkenSpecial Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Council that since the October 7 attack Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups killed over 1400 Israelis and foreign nationals the bloodiest attack in Israels history This includes over 1000 civilians many of them women and children and over 360 security forces personnel Over 5400 Israelis were injuredWennesland said the Ministry of Health MoH in Gaza has reported over 5000 Palestinians killed so far including over 1100 women 2000 children as well as journalists medical workers and first responders with more than 15000 injured Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings said that according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza more than 1500 people have also been reported missing and are presumed to be under the rubbleThe number of those who are internally displaced has swelled to 14 million Nearly 600000 people are sheltering in UNWRA facilities in increasingly dire conditions Hastings said India termed the October 7 terror attacks in Israel as shocking and condemned them unequivocally Ravindra noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to have conveyed his condolences for the loss of lives and prayers for the innocent victims and their familiesWe stood in solidarity with Israel at their moment of crisis when they were facing these terror attacks Ravindra said Modi in a post on X had said Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hourIndia has also expressed deep shock at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza last week where several hundreds of civilian casualties have occurred and thousands injured Ravindra said Prime Minister Modi has clearly spelt out that those involved must be held responsibleIndia welcomed the efforts of the international community for deescalation and delivery of humanitarian goods to the people of Gaza India has sent 38 tons of humanitarian goods including medicines and equipment to the people of Palestine Ravindra saidOver the weekend a convoy of the Egyptian Red Crescent entered Gaza with humanitarian supplies the first since the conflict began following attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7 Hastings said this has provided a glimmer of hope to people living in appalling conditionsThis past weekend 34 trucks entered Gaza with lifesaving supplies and another 20 trucks crossed Rafah into Gaza yesterday Twenty more are due to cross today although they are currently delayed We welcome this important development and we pledge to do our part to ensure these deliveries continue Hastings saidRavindra added that India also continues to support the Palestinian people through its bilateral development partnership which covers a wide range of sectors including health education womens empowerment entrepreneurship and information technologyIndia is also supporting grassroot Palestinian institutions in their developmental initiatives and has supported UNRWA The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East over decades for its humanitarian services In these challenging times India will continue to send humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine Ravindra saidThis story has been sourced from a third party 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