India calls for hostage release, humanitarian aid amid escalated conflict in Gaza

New Delhi, Mar 19: India has expressed concern over the escalating crisis in Gaza, calling for the immediate release of all hostages and the continued flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release issued today said, “We are concerned at the situation in Gaza. It is important that all hostages are released. We also call for supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to be sustained. “

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have intensified across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 more Palestinians overnight.  Yesterday, media reports indicate that more than 400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the latest wave of attacks that has shattered existing ceasefire that had lasted just under two months. According to Al Jazeera, Hamas official Taher al-Nono stated that while the group remains open to negotiations, there is no need for new agreements since a signed deal already exists. The Israeli military has confirmed it is conducting “extensive strikes” across Gaza, targeting what it described as “terror targets” linked to Hamas. Fresh evacuation orders have been issued for multiple areas as airstrikes continue. Among those killed was Mahmoud Abu Wafah, Gaza’s deputy interior minister and Hamas’ highest-ranking security official in the territory. Four other senior officials were also reported dead.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced outrage over the Israeli strikes, joining a growing chorus of international condemnation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the renewed bombardment was “only the beginning,” vowing that any future negotiations regarding Gaza’s ceasefire would now proceed “under fire.”

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that at least 48,577 Palestinians have died and 112,041 have been wounded since the conflict began. In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks, and more than 200 individuals were taken hostage. This escalation marks the largest wave of Israeli airstrikes since the ceasefire began on January 19, and attempts to extend the fragile truce have so far been unsuccessful.