External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday called for a "two-state solution" to resolve the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as he addressed a virtual summit of fellow BRICS leaders, news agency ANI reported. Speaking on the Israel-Hamas war, Jaishankar stated: "The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza is causing immense human suffering. Right now there is an urgent need for humanitarian aid to reach the population of Gaza. It is also imperative that all hostages are released."
He further stated: "PM Modi has spoken to several leaders in the region and across the world in this context. He has highlighted the need to create conditions for peace and restart direct and meaningful peace negotiations. We believe that the concerns of Palestinians should be addressed seriously."
Meanwhile, during a virtual summit of fellow BRICS leaders on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a "international peace conference" to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, news agency AFP reported. "There can be no sustainable peace and security in the Middle East without a just solution to the question of Palestine," Xi stated.
"China calls for an early convening of an international peace conference that is more authoritative to build international consensus for peace," he was quoted by AFP in its report.
Xi presented three proposals to resolve the conflict, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, an end to violence targeting civilians, and the release of civilian detainees to prevent further loss of lives and suffering, PTI reported. He emphasised the need to implement the two-state solution, restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation, and establish an independent State of Palestine.
According to Xi, such a meeting would "work towards an early solution to the Palestine question that is comprehensive, just, and sustainable."
"Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has been working actively to promote peace talks and a ceasefire," he said.
Fighting has erupted in Gaza after Hamas terrorists murdered around 1,200 people, largely civilians, during cross-border assaults on October 7 – Israel's bloodiest strike in its history.
In response, Israel started an all-out air assault and ground offensive in Gaza, which is governed by Hamas.
According to Hamas, the battle has killed over 13,300 people, including thousands of children.
Hopes Mount For Hostages After Hamas Chief Says Truce Deal 'Close'
On Tuesday, hopes grew that scores of hostages held by Hamas would be freed from war-torn Gaza, as the group's leader and a crucial mediator, Qatar, both claimed a truce accord with Israel was near.
"We are close to reaching a truce agreement," Ismail Haniyeh said, according to a statement supplied to AFP by his office, after US President Joe Biden hinted at an agreement on Monday.
"We are at the closest point we have ever been in reaching an agreement," said Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry.
"We're very optimistic, very hopeful," he added.