On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that India has dispatched its first tranche of assistance to Palestine in light of the ongoing conflict with Israel.
A total of 30 tons of humanitarian assistance has been sent to Palestine via the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The shipment includes essential medicines, surgical supplies, and high-energy biscuits.
“India has sent humanitarian assistance for the people of Palestine through UNRWA. The first tranche, consisting of 30 tons of medicine and food items, has departed today. The shipment includes a variety of essential medicines, surgical supplies, dental products, general medical items, and high-energy biscuits,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.
Earlier in July, India allocated USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as part of its annual contribution of USD 5 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
India has reaffirmed its strong and lasting commitment to resolving the Palestine issue through peaceful means, supporting a negotiated “two-state solution” that envisions the establishment of a “sovereign, independent, and viable” Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel.
Israel and Hamas have been engaged in conflict since October 7, when gunmen from the Palestinian militant group launched an attack from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 253 hostages, according to Israeli estimates.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza, leading to the deaths of more than 41,500 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza.
Nearly the entire population of 2.3 million in the enclave has been displaced from their homes, with much of the territory left in ruins.
The Gaza war represents the bloodiest chapter in a prolonged conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that has persisted for seven decades, contributing to instability in the Middle East.
