UPDATE - Indian Muslim leaders press gov't to continue 'anti-colonial' stand on Palestine

ADSS STATEMENT FROM INDIAN MUSLIM LEADERS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Anadolu staff

Indian Muslim community leaders demanded Wednesday that the government "continue" the South Asian nation's "long-standing anti-colonial and pro-Palestinian foreign policy."

“We are deeply concerned about the situation in Palestine, especially in Gaza. We strongly condemn, the continuous killing of innocent human lives, even children and women, the interruption of food, water, medicine, and electricity supply, and the continuous bombing of populated areas and attempts to evacuate Gaza,” according to a statement by 13 community leaders.

​​​​​​It noted a “need for the international community to act immediately and stop the bloodshed,” and demanded that New Delhi “continue India's long-standing anti-colonial and pro-Palestinian foreign policy advocated by (MK) Gandhi to (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and use its sphere of influence in realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”

Gandhi is India's independence icon while the late Vajpayee was prime minister belonging to the current ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janta Party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock Wednesday at the loss of hundreds of lives in an airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in northern Gaza.

“Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured,” Modi wrote on X.

“Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible,” he added.

Despite India traditionally supporting a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Modi has called the offensive by Hamas a series of "terrorist attacks."

Modi spoke Oct. 10 to his Israel counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, in which Modi “conveyed that people of India stand in solidarity with Israel in this difficult hour.”

Two days later, the Indian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country's position with a spokesman saying India’s policy has been “longstanding and consistent.”

“India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side at peace with Israel. That position remains the same," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi.

Nearly 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital late Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials in the besieged enclave.

Israel has denied responsibility for the strike.

Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict began Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,476 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The figure in Israel stands at more than 1,400.