Israel-Palestine Conflict Latest Developments: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condemned the civilian casualties in Gaza due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Prime Minister was speaking at the inaugural session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit, where he underscored the pressing need for unity and cooperation among Global South nations.
In his speech, PM Modi reiterated India’s steadfast opposition to violence and terrorism, including the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. He emphasized the importance of exercising restraint and promoting dialogue as fundamental principles for conflict resolution.
Meanwhile, the internet and telephone services have all collapsed in the Gaza strip due to lack of fuel, the Associated Press reported on Friday. This outage threatens a communication blackout for a prolonged period as Israel hints at expanding its offensive against Hamas. The report suggests that this time the focus will be on the southern region where a significant portion of the population has sought refuge.
Here are some more of the latest developments straight from the war-torn region:
– Israeli troops conducted a second-day search at Shifa Hospital in the north, seeking traces of Hamas. They presented what they claimed to be a tunnel entrance and weapons discovered in a truck within the compound. However, the military has not yet provided evidence of a central Hamas command center, which Israel alleges is concealed beneath the complex. Both Hamas and the hospital’s staff, the largest in Gaza, deny these allegations.
– Gaza‘s Health Ministry on Thursday informed that the troops conducted searches in the city’s largest hospital and detained technicians responsible for operating its equipment. The hospital has been without electricity for nearly a week, causing immense challenges for the staff in maintaining the well-being of 36 premature babies and 45 dialysis patients who rely on non-functional equipment.
– Hamas, in a statement, late on Thursday dismissed the Pentagon and U.S. State Department’s claims regarding the military use of Al Shifa, calling it a “blatantly false narrative” and criticizing the performances of the army spokesman.
– The breakdown in communication effectively isolates Gaza’s 2.3 million residents from one another and the external world. This situation persists as Israeli airstrikes continue in the region. The World Food Program of the United Nations has sounded an alarm, cautioning of an imminent risk of starvation in Gaza. The food supply has been disrupted due to Israel’s blockade, and insufficient aid is reaching Gaza from Egypt.
– Leaders of 18 U.N. agencies and international charities on Thursday rejected the establishment of a safe zone. Instead, they called for a cease-fire and urged unrestricted access to humanitarian aid and fuel to reach Gaza’s population.
(With Agency Inputs)