PM Modi condemns Gaza hospital attack as Arab countries rally behind Palestinians, US backs Israel | India News – Times of India

PM Narendra Modi expressed shock at the bombing of a Gaza hospital that left hundreds dead, saying civilian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict were a matter of serious concern and seeking action against the perpetrators. While Hamas has accused Israel of carrying out the attack, Israel has said a misfired Palestinian rocket caused the blast.
The US backed Israel’s claim even as Arab countries blamed and condemned Israel for the latest and potentially the most damaging flashpoint in the conflict.
“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,” said Modi on X.

“Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible,” he added.
Modi had condemned the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, which caused the military flare-up, as terrorist strikes and reiterated the same in a phone conversation with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, while expressing solidarity with Israel. In his remarks on the attack on the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, Modi for the first time also expressed concern over the mounting non-combatant casualties as Israel seeks retribution against Hamas.
After its initial silence on the conflict, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) had sought adherence to international humanitarian law while also reiterating India’s support for a sovereign and viable Palestine state. Like the US, and unlike its Arab partners, India has so far not called for an immediate ceasefire to deal with the explosive situation.
Modi’s condemnation of the hospital strike and civilian casualties came in the middle of an outrage in the Arab world that saw countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Jordan condemn Israel for the blast. It also brought to the fore their differences with the US as President Joe Biden seemed to put the blame on the Palestinians. According to an AP report, Biden, after arriving in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, said the blast appeared to have been caused “by the other team,” not Israel, but that there were “a lot of people out there” who weren’t sure.
Earlier in the day, Jordan cancelled a planned summit with the US and Egypt following the news of the deadly hospital attack that, according to authorities in Gaza, killed 500 people. UAE also joined Russia in calling for an urgent open meeting of the UN Security Council on the Gaza hospital issue.
According to Israel though, a failed rocket launch by Islamic Jihad, a group active in Gaza, was responsible for the blast at the hospital. “This ability of the Palestinians to invade 30 Jewish communities, slaughter 1400+ Israelis, kidnap more than 200, shoot 7000+ rockets at Israeli civilians and still play the victim is amazing. The ‘eagerness’ of some in the world to accept these lies by #HamasISIS is disappointing but not necessarily surprising,” said Naor Gilon, Israel ambassador to India.