In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, providing an update on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has claimed over 1,600 lives thus far. In response, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Israel during these challenging times, while emphatically condemning terrorism in all its forms.
Taking to social media, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Netanyahu for the phone call and the information shared, stating, “I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
This declaration of support carries particular significance because India has historically aligned itself with the Palestinian cause. However, in recent years, India has also been building closer ties with Israel, reflecting a shift in its Middle East policy. The current conflict now presents India with a complex diplomatic challenge as it seeks to navigate its role in the region.
While countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy have issued a joint statement firmly supporting Israel and unequivocally condemning Hamas, several Middle Eastern nations have assigned blame to Israel for the ongoing crisis.
Against this backdrop, the conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Mr. Netanyahu occurs in the context of a plea from Palestine’s envoy, who emphasized that India, as a friend to both Israel and Palestine, should intervene to help resolve the crisis.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Palestine’s Ambassador to India, Abu Alhaija, laid blame on Israel and the international community for the ongoing conflict, which has now entered its fourth day. Alhaija asserted that the root of the conflict lies in Israel’s actions in the West Bank and called on India to use its diplomatic influence to find a peaceful solution.
He stated, “Our president is in touch with several European countries to help negotiate. India is a friend to both. We want India to intervene and help us negotiate.”
In a coordinated statement, leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy condemned Hamas’ actions, emphasizing that there can be no justification for terrorism. They expressed their support for Israel’s right to defend itself while warning against any attempt to exploit the current crisis for political gain.
The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to evolve, and India’s position in this delicate diplomatic landscape remains a topic of international interest as the world hopes for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.