India’s Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the United Nations, Ambassador R Ravindra on Wednesday said that India is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. R Ravindra added that the mounting humanitarian crisis is equally alarming. 

The Ambassador made the remarks while representing India at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open-debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. R Ravindra mentioned the October 7th terror attacks in Israel were shocking and they condemn them unequivocally. He noted that PM 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 families.

He further mentioned that India stood in solidarity with Israel at their moment of crisis when they were facing these terror attacks. He also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He said that civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern, mentioning that all parties must protect civilians, especially women and children.

He continued that India urged the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and for restarting direct negotiations, including through de-escalation and eschewing violence. The current escalation has once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of credible, direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine and every effort must be made to create conducive conditions for the resumption of these talks, he added.

R. Ravindra added that India has sent 38 tons of food and critical medical equipment to the region. He underlined that India has always negotiated a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, resulting in the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side in peace with Israel, taking into account the legitimate security concerns of Israel. 

India also continues to support the Palestinian people through our bilateral development partnership, which includes a wide range of sectors such as health, education, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and information technology. R. Ravindra also reaffirmed India’s firm commitment to achieving a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Reports stated that the UNSC ministerial meeting, chaired under the Brazilian Presidency of the Council and was addressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Al-Maliki and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country’s response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas from the Gaza strip will change the Middle East, reports said. The Prime Minister made the statement while speaking to the mayors of southern border towns that were hit by the assault that began on Saturday. 

Earlier, PM Netanyahu has warned Gaza civilians to get away from all Hamas sites which he has vowed to turn to rubble. Reportedly, Israel is in the threat of a multi-front war after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched guided missiles and artillery shells in solidarity with Hamas.

Meanwhile on Monday, Israel said that it will impose a total blockade on Gaza, including a ban on admitting food and fuel to the area. Gaza is already facing a complete electricity blackout after Israel cut electricity supply to the region after Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Saturday, reports said.

In addition, Israel has now ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip, mentioning that no electricity, no food, and no fuel would be supplied to the region. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that they have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. The Defence Minister claimed that they are fighting human animals and they are acting accordingly.

Israel and Egypt have imposed several levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. This blockade order followed after a three-day conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists that claimed the lives of more than 1,100 people on both sides, with over 700 killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers.

Israel declared war on Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on Sunday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to destroy the terrorist group’s hideouts. Meanwhile, in Gaza, which endured relentless Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, officials have reported nearly 493 deaths.

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Israel military launched air raids on Gaza’s Palestinian militant weapons sites in the early hours of Sunday. The air raids were launched in response to a violent demonstration on the fence due to which many people were injured, among the injured was an Israeli police officer, who is critically injured.

What happened on Saturday?

On Saturday, several people joined the protest to attract attention towards the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the territory. However, the protest took a U-turn and it became violent. In the violent protest, several protesters started rushing towards the fence and they started hitting the Israeli soldiers with rocks.

The Gaza health ministry reported that around 24 Palestinians, including a 13-year-old, were injured by Israeli gunfire. Apart from this, an Israeli Border Police Officer was also shot and he was critically injured.

The ministry further said in the statement that around forty-one civilians were also wounded with several injuries. The Israeli military said that they were rioters, not protestors and they just responded with riot dispersal means including when necessary live fire.

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Al Jazeera’s reporter Youmna al-Sayed said that around 10 of the Palestinians wounded were children and two were in a critical condition.

Earlier, the worst air raids were launched in May in which more than 200 people were killed.

Meanwhile, Israel has also announced a new agreement with Qatar in which some aid will be given to the thousands of families in the Gaza strip. It is reported that the funds will be transferred by the UN directly to Gaza families. The payments are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

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