With regards to Israel, the source said that India continues to maintain good ties with the country and its ties would remain unaffected irrespective of the UN vote. "Our UNHRC vote changes nothing in our ties with Israel.. We will continue as before," the official added.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, giving the perspective on India's ties with Palestine and Israel, said: "We fully support the cause of Palestinians, but we have good relations with Israel."
India joined Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa to vote for a Palestinian-drafted resolution on "Ensuring Respect for International Law in The Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem". In the 46-member human rights council, 29 countries voted in support of the resolution while 17 nations abstained.
Supporting calls for an immediate ceasefire, India said at the UNHRC that it is "deeply concerned at the steep escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, particularly heavy airstrikes in Gaza and disproportionate use of force on ground, resulting in tragic loss of civilian lives, especially women and children and heavy damage to property."
A 72-hour cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect early Friday in the Gaza Strip, as both sides intensified efforts to find a more permanent solution to the nearly four weeks of fighting. Israel and Hamas both said they would respect the cease-fire but would respond to attacks. Four short humanitarian cease-fires announced earlier have ended in renewed fighting within hours.
While Israel has reported 61 Israeli soldiers and three civilians killed, the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 1,400 since the offensive began July 8. According to reports, 17 Palestinians, including 10 members of one family, were killed in Israeli strikes ahead of the cease-fire.
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