Amid the growing tension between Israel and Palestine, India on Sunday condemned all acts of violence, provocation, incitement & destruction and called for immediate resumption of dialogue between both parties.

Speaking at the UN Security Council open meeting on the situation in the Middle East, India’s Permanent Ambassador to United Nations, T S Tirumurti urged both sides to show extreme restraints and desist from actions that exacerbate tensions.

“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,” Ambassador Tirumurti said. 

Voicing concern on the events that resulted in a sharp deterioration of the security situation, Tirumurti said, “These incidents have once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of dialogue between Israel and Palestine. The absence of direct and meaningful negotiations between the parties is widening the trust deficit between the parties.” 

During the meeting, Tirumurti reiterated, ‘India’s strong support to the just Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to the two-State solution.'

India also mourned the death of one of its national living in Ashkelon, Israel. Soumya Santhosh, who hailed from Kerala’s Idukki district was killed in a rocket attack from Gaza. 

India also extended support to diplomatic efforts of the Quartet and other members of the international community, to put an end to the ongoing violence.

Fighting could plunge the region into an uncontainable crisis: UN Secretary-General

Calling the hostilities in Israel and Gaza ‘utterly appalling’ the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end to the fighting.

Mr. Guterres warned the UN Security Council meeting that the fighting could plunge the region into an uncontainable crisis.

While opening an emergency session of the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General said the UN is “actively engaging all sides towards an immediate ceasefire”.

Earlier in a press statement released on 14 May, the UN Secretary-General reaffirmed his commitment to support Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and bilateral agreements, including through the Middle East Quartet.

Israel-Palestine clashes: US in calls with Qatari, Egyptian, Saudi foreign ministers

Earlier on May 16, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister of Egypt, and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and discussed the ongoing efforts to calm tensions in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza and bring the current violence to an end.

At least 42 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip on Sunday after Israel launched dozens of airstrikes. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll increased to 197, including 58 children and 34 women. According to Israeli authorities, ten people have lost their lives in Israel, including two children.