'Deeply Shocked At Loss Of Lives': India Condemns Killing Of Over 100 In Gaza

The MEA said that such loss of civilian lives and the larger humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be a cause for 'extreme concern'.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. ( Image Source :PTI )

India on Friday expressed grief and said that it is "deeply shocked" at the loss of lives in northern Gaza during the delivery of humanitarian aid. This comes a day after more than 100 people were killed and over 700 sustained injuries in an incident.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that such loss of civilian lives and the larger humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be a cause for "extreme concern". In a statement, the MEA said, "We are deeply shocked at the loss of lives in northern Gaza yesterday during delivery of humanitarian assistance". "Such loss of civilian lives and the larger humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be a cause for extreme concern," it added.

India called for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to the people of Gaza. The MEA said, "We reiterate our call for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance".

More than 100 people were killed and over 700 injured when Israeli troops fired on a large crowd of Palestinians trying to pull food off an aid convoy in Gaza on Thursday, as reported by news agency PTI. 

The incident drew sharp international reactions with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemning it. "I condemn Thursday's incident in Gaza in which more than 100 people were reportedly killed or injured while seeking life-saving aid," he wrote on X. "The desperate civilians in Gaza need urgent help, including those in the north where the UN has not been able to deliver aid in more than a week," Guterres said. India has been pushing for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue for decades.

On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the conflict in Gaza is of "great concern" and the humanitarian crises arising out of it require a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief. Referring to the Hamas attack on Israel, he underscored that "terrorism and hostage taking" are unacceptable.

In a virtual statement at the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Jaishankar said, "The conflict in Gaza is of great concern to us all. The humanitarian crises arising from conflicts require a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most affected," as quoted by PTI. "At the same time, we must be clear that terrorism and hostage taking are unacceptable. It also goes without saying that international humanitarian law must always be respected," he added.