India concerned over situation in Gaza; calls for humanitarian aid to affected people

New Delhi: India has expressed concern about the situation in Gaza following Israel’s resumption of bombing in the Palestinian territory, which has broken the fragile ceasefire with Hamas. India called for humanitarian aid to be provided to people affected by the conflict and emphasised the importance of releasing all hostages currently held by Hamas.

“We are concerned at the situation in Gaza. It is important that all hostages are released,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“We also call for the supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to be sustained,” it said in a statement.

India’s comments came as Israel pounded Hamas targets in Gaza on Tuesday, triggering uncertainty over the ceasefire that came into effect on January 19.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 400 people were killed in the Israeli bombing. The Israeli action came after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on how to take forward the ceasefire deal from the initial phase. The deal comprised three stages.

The negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire pact were to start around six weeks back. But the two sides could not hold the talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will not “relent” until it achieves all “vital goals”.

“In the past two weeks, Israel did not initiate any military action in the hope that Hamas would change course. Well, that didn’t happen,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“While Israel accepted the offer of President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Hamas flatly refused to do so,” he said.

“This is why I authorised yesterday the renewal of military action against Hamas,” Netanyahu added.

India has been pitching for the “two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.