PM Modi speaks to Palestinian prez, assures aid for people

Calling for a mutually acceptable solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, PM Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that India will continue to send humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

PM Modi also expressed his condolences for the civilian victims of the blast at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.

“Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. Shared our deep concern at the terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region. Reiterated India’s long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue,” PM Modi said in a statement on social media platform X.

Meanwhile, Israel pounded Gaza with more air strikes on Thursday and deployed tanks and soldiers along the border fence as a “ground offensive” of the besieged Gaza Strip loomed.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said four rockets of nine launched from Lebanese territory were intercepted, adding that several anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon towards Israeli forces.

The casualties reported so far indicate that 2,329 Palestinians, including 724 children, have lost their lives in Israeli air raids. On the Israeli side, the number of casualties resulting from Hamas’s military operation is reported as 1,300, including 286 soldiers.

(With agency inputs)