New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed “deep concerns” regarding the recent Israeli strikes on the refugee camps in Rafah, emphasising its longstanding stance on the protection of civilian populations and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The Ministry underscored its position following the heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp, reiterating the need for all parties involved to respect international humanitarian norms amidst the ongoing conflict.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the Rafah situation, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern. We have consistently called for the protection of the civilian population and respect for… pic.twitter.com/SocgbDaWt3
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2024
The air strikes on the Rafah refugee camp, which occurred subsequent to the International Court of Justice’s order for Israel to cease its operations in Rafah, have sparked international outrage, further highlighting the urgency for a resolution to the escalating tensions in the region.
“We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic accident and announced an investigation into the incident,” he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that India is one of the first countries to recognise the state of Palestine in late 1980s and has supported a two-state solution within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace.
India’s statement comes after Ireland, Norway and Spain recognised Palestine as an independent state. The European nations are now pushing for other countries to acknowledge pre-1967 borders and say this recognition is the only way to ensure peace.
“India recognised Palestine way back in the 1980s, so it has been a longstanding position that we support a two-state solution that entails the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent state of Palestine within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace, “MEA Spokeperson Randhir Jaiswal said regarding the position of India related to Israel and Palestine during the weekly press briefing.
“So that is how we look at it. What they are doing now, we already done in the 1980s,” he added.
At least 45 people were killed and 200 others were injured after the Israeli strike hit a camp for displaced people on May 26, CNN reported, according to the government media office in Gaza.
Shortly after the attack, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that two senior Hamas officials had been killed after targeting a Hamas compound. The Israeli attack followed Hamas’ first rocket attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv in months.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the country’s strike on a displacement camp in Rafah a “tragic mistake.” He said that Israel is carrying out investigation into the incident.
