Heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in Rafah camp a matter of deep concern: MEA
| 2024-05-31
Representative image.
The Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic incident, says MEA
Describing the "heartbreaking loss of civilian lives" in a camp in Rafah as a matter of deep concern, India has reiterated its call for the respect of humanitarian laws. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also highlighted India's "long-standing support" for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.
Responding to a question at the weekly media briefing on Thursday (May 30, 2024), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern for us. We have consistently called for protection of civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict".
"We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic incident and announced an investigation into the incident," Jaiswal added.
More than 45 people died and over 200 were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a displacement camp in Rafah on Sunday (May 26, 2024).
In response to another query, about Norway, Ireland and Spain joining the list of countries that have recognized the Palestinian state, the MEA Spokesperson said India recognized Palestine way back in the 1980s. "What they are doing now, we have already done in the 1980s," he remarked.
"It has been our long-standing position that we support a two-state solution which entails the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent state of Palestine within recognized and mutually agreed borders living side by side with Israel in peace," he stated.
Asked about the death of former Indian Army officer Colonel (Retired) Waibhav Anil Kale, who was working with the United Nations in Gaza, on May 15, 2024, Jaiswal noted that an investigation had been launched by the Israeli side. The United Nations Department of Safety had also set up a fact-finding mission, he added. "We hope that these investigations are concluded soon and we look forward to it," he said.
He added that the Indian Missions in Tel Aviv and in New York were in touch with the authorities in regard to the investigation.
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