India calls for de-escalation of tension between Israel, Palestine
India has condemned "indiscriminate rocket firings from Gaza targeting the civilian population in Israel and the retaliatory strikes into Gaza" and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions in the region.
India also reiterated its strong support "to the just Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to the two-State solution".
Speaking at the UNSC open debate on the situation in the Middle East yesterday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York TS 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, he pointed out, "has also lost one of its nationals living in Israel in this rocket fire -- a caregiver in Ashkelon. We deeply mourn her demise along with all other civilians who have lost their lives in the current cycle of violence."
"We reiterate our strong condemnation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction," Tirumurti said.
"Immediate de-escalation is the need of the hour so as to arrest any further slide towards the brink," Tirumurti said adding, "We urge both sides to show extreme restraint, desist from actions that exacerbate tensions, and refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the existing status-quo, including in East Jerusalem and its neighbourhood."
India, he said, supported the diplomatic efforts of the Quartet and other members of the international community, the countries in the region in particular, to calm the situation and put an end to the ongoing violence and seek to achieve durable peace.
"These incidents have once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of dialogue between Israel and Palestinian authorities," the Indian diplomat said.
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