Le Premier ministre Modi exprime une profonde consternation devant la tragique perte de vies humaines à l'hôpital de Gaza.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. He has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for speedy recovery of those injured, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Wednesday (October 18, 2023).
 
In a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. 
 
Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible.”
 
Hundreds of people were killed in an explosion at the hospital in Gaza on Tuesday (October 17, 2023), with both Israel and Palestine-based Hamas militants accusing each other of carrying out an attack.
 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu squarely blamed Palestinian militants for the explosion. “The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza and not the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)," he said, adding, “Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children".
 
At the same time, Hamas accuses the Israeli forces of targeting the hospital. Multiple media reports have, however, quoted top Israeli military officers as saying that the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants. Incidentally, the explosion occurred just before a planned visit by US President Joe Biden to Israel. 
 
Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli locations, firing at least 2,500 rockets into the country on October 7, 2023. Armed groups broke through the fencing around the Gaza Strip and attacked Israeli settlements, killing several hundred people including over 200 attending a music concert. The militants also took about 200 people, including women and children, hostage.
 
The Israeli Defence Forces have responded with their full might using air power to target what they say are locations of the Hamas leadership in the Gaza area.
 
India stands firmly with Israel, Prime Minister Modi had said last week after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with him on phone and updated him on the ongoing situation after the terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas.
 
Condemning terrorism in all its forms, Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with Israel at this difficult time.  
 
"I thank Prime Minister Benjamin 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," Prime Minister Modi posted on X on October 10, 2023.