Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with his Israeli counterpart on Tuesday and reiterated support for the other country. War broke out last week in the region following a surprise attack from Hamas extremists. Fighting over the past four days has claimed nearly 2,000 lives and injured thousands of others.
“I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he tweeted.
Israel declared ‘war’ against the extremist Hamas group after a surprise attack on Saturday morning. At least 900 Israelis – mostly civilians – have killed and over 2,616 people injured since the Palestinian group launched its attack.
Meanwhile entire districts in Gaza have been flattened as the Israeli Air Force dropped hundreds of tons of bombs on thousands of targets. Local media reports estimate that nearly 700 Gaza residents were killed in Israeli strikes.
“Approximately 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in Israel around the Gaza Strip,” Israel military spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters on Tuesday.
The Israel Defense Forces have finally regained control over the border with the Gaza Strip after three days of fighting. Officials said that the army had had "nearly completed" evacuation of all the communities around the area.
The Israeli army has called up 300,000 reservists for its "Swords of Iron" campaign and massed tanks and other heavy armour both near Gaza, and on the northern border with Lebanon.
“Israel is at war. We didn’t want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it…I want to thank President Biden for his unequivocal support. I want to thank leaders across the world who are standing with Israel today,” Netanyahu had tweeted on Monday.
(With inputs from agencies)
