The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday reiterated that India has advocated for the resumption of direct talks towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living side-by-side and at peace with Israel, while also asserting that it considered the attacks by Hamas as terrorist attacks.
"We have been very clear that we see it as a terrorist attack. As far as Palestine is concerned, India has advocated the resumption of direct negotations towards establishing the sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised border side by side with Israel," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a press conference.
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Around 230 Indians are expected to be brought back from Israel on Friday in a chartered flight under Operation Ajay. India launched the operation to facilitate the return of those Indians who wish to come back home amid rising tensions between Israel and Palestine. There are 18,000 Indians including students in Israel. "We are aware of one Indian who was injured. The person is in hospital. Thankfully, we have not heard of any Indian casualty," the spokesperson said.
The ongoing conflict had visible effects on India's politics with the Congress Working Commitee passing a resolution reiterating its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity while also calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on all outstanding issues, and the BJP terming Congress's resolution as 'supporting terrorist groups'.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on the ongoing situation, who then said in a statement that India stands 'firmly' with Israel and strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
