India censures violence in Gaza, supports 'just Palestinian cause'

At the UNSC meeting, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti asked the two countries to immediately resume direct dialogue and said that New Delhi supports the two-state solution.

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PR @ambtstirumurti speaks at the Open Debate on Middle East@MEAIndia @indemtel @ROIRamallah pic.twitter.com/g1admWoaxP

— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) May 16, 2021

The statement came as violence continues in the region that began this month following weeks-long tension between the two sides.

“The events of the last several days has resulted in a sharp deterioration of the security situation,” Tirumurti said. “The indiscriminate rocket firings from Gaza targeting the civilian population in Israel, which we condemn, and the retaliatory strikes into Gaza, have caused immense suffering and resulted in deaths, including women and children.”

India’s envoy urged both sides to show “extreme restraint, desist from actions that exacerbate tensions”, and refrain from trying to change the existing status quo, including in East Jerusalem and its neighbourhood. “Jerusalem has a special place in the hearts of millions of Indians, who visit the city every year,” he said.

“The Old City also houses the Al Zawiyya Al Hindiyya – the Indian Hospice, which is a historic place associated with a great Indian Sufi saint Baba Farid and located inside the Old City. India has restored this Indian Hospice” he added.

Tirumurti said that India believes every effort should be made to create conducive conditions for the resumption of talks between Israel and Palestine.

“In conclusion, I reiterate India’s strong support to the just Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to the two-state solution.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the security council that hostilities in Israel and Gaza were “utterly appalling” and called for an end to the fighting, Guterres said the UN is “actively engaging all sides towards an immediate ceasefire”.

The violence started in Jerusalem at the Haram Al-Sharif, also known as Temple Mount during Ramzan, with the key reason being the possible eviction of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.

The area is a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The violence later spread to both West Bank and Gaza.

At least 192 people, including 58 children and 34 women, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the latest series of violence began.

Israel has reported 10 dead, including two children.