Israel-Palestine Conflict: India Assures All Support For Efforts Towards Peace Talks

Speaking to the media on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that India's attitude on the Palestinian issue has been clear and constant.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

Source : IANS

Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, on Thursday stated that India is committed to supporting any attempts to restore direct discussions between the two countries in order to achieve a two-state solution, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that India's attitude on the Palestinian issue has been clear and constant.

According to CNN, Israeli police raided the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City in the early hours of Wednesday and detained more than 350 Palestinians.

The incident occurred just a few days after a Palestinian man was slain outside the holy place.

Speaking about the incident, the MEA spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting all efforts to resume direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a two-state solution. At this sensitive time, we would urge all sides to maintain calm”.

According to social media posts, Israeli troops were seen wielding torches and attempting to strike screaming people with batons inside the mosque.

Cops can be seen entering the mosque with their riot shields up as pyrotechnics are shot at them in videos posted by Israeli police.

 “Its forces entered the mosque after several law-breaking youth and masked agitators brought into the mosque fireworks, sticks and stones," a statement issued by Israeli Police was quoted by ANI in its report. 

According to the statement: “When the police entered, stones were thrown at them, and fireworks were fired from inside the mosque by a large group of agitators.

“At least 12 people were injured during clashes in and around the mosque, and at least three of the injured, who sustained injuries from rubber bullets, were shifted to hospital," The Palestinian Red Crescent was cited by ANI in its report.

The Red Crescent stated that its ambulances were once targeted by police and stopped from reaching the victims.

“These instigators fortified it hours after the Taraweeh prayer in order to disrupt public order and desecrate the mosque," the police statement reads. 

“In addition, they started chanting for incitement and violence inside the mosque and locked its doors from the inside with obstacles and fortifications at the entrances," it further reads.

According to officials, more than 350 individuals were detained and taken from the mosque, and one Israeli police officer was also injured in the leg by stones, according to CNN.

Social media users shared images of detainees being escorted into vehicles as their wrists were tied and their legs and arms were shackled behind their backs on the mosque floor.

Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli police's conduct in "strong words," and Israel was requested to withdraw its personnel from the mosque immediately, according to CNN.

(With Inputs From Agencies)