New Delhi Expresses Deep Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Rafah

New Delhi, May 30, 2024: has expressed deep concern over the loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah, Gaza, where Israeli troops continue their targeted operations. In a weekly press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said, "The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern. We have consistently called for the protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict. We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic accident and announced an investigation into the incident."

At least 45 people, including women and children, were killed in an Israeli air strike on a camp for displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Sunday. Videos from the Tal al-Sultan area on Sunday night showed a large explosion and intense fires burning. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that they had killed two "senior terrorists" and were investigating the circumstances of the civilian deaths. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "tragedy," occurring hours after rockets were fired from Rafah towards Tel Aviv, marking the first long-range attacks on the central Israeli city since January.

Addressing the Israeli parliament on Monday, Netanyahu called Sunday's strike a "tragic mishap" but pledged to continue operations in Rafah. The attack has sparked protests from regional governments, including Egypt and Qatar, who have acted as mediators in the conflict, as well as Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Egypt condemned the strike as part of a “systematic policy” to make Gaza “uninhabitable,” while Qatar called it a "dangerous violation of international law" that could “complicate ongoing mediation efforts.” Jordan accused Israel of "ongoing war crimes," and Saudi Arabia denounced the “continued massacres."

The UN reports that around a million people have now fled the fighting in Rafah, with several hundred thousand more potentially still sheltering there. Residents have reported heavy bombardment of western districts early this week, the IDF stated it was continuing operations against "terror targets."