Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu where the latter briefed him about the ongoing war with Hamas militants. PM Modi, who shares good relations with Netanyahu, spoke for the first time after the conflict broke out on October 7, Saturday. During his conversation, PM Modi condemned the terror activities by Hamas and extended support to Israel in this difficult hour.
"I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," wrote PM Modi on X.
The conversation between the two leaders came nearly three days after a brutal war broke out between the Hamas militants and Israel. According to the latest updates, more than 1,600 including Hamas militants were killed. Earlier on Saturday, he took to social media platform, and wrote, "Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour." The message was later reposted by external affairs minister S Jaishankar.
Israel-Hamas war enters fourth day
After Hamas militants launched more than 4,400 rockets and stormed Israel on Saturday, the war has escalated with Israeli forces relentlessly bombarding Gaza. The Israeli military on Tuesday announced that it considers Gaza's parliament and civilian ministries as legitimate targets in its offensive against Hamas.
At least 1,600 people on both sides have been killed, including over 1,000 in Israel. Meanwhile, the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants, meanwhile, were found on Israeli territory, the military said. Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are also holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage.
Among the people killed in the Hamas strikes are 11 Americans and 18 Thailand nationals. One Indian caregiver was injured, but a previous report indicated that the 18,000 Indian nationals in Israel are safe.
Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are also holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage. Hamas has threatened to kill captured Israelis if airstrikes continued on Gaza civilians without warning.
The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees said Tuesday that it has been struggling to accommodate over 187,000 Palestinians in Gaza displaced by ongoing Israeli strikes as hospitals and schools that it runs across the Gaza Strip were damaged in the fighting.
According to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the military struck hundreds of Hamas targets overnight in Gaza’s City Rimal neighborhood, which is home to many Hamas ministries and government buildings. He said residents were being notified over social media to evacuate before the strikes but did not elaborate further.
(with AP inputs)
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