Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the Gaza War and the disruption in the Red Sea.
The call was initiated from the Israeli side and Netanyahu briefed Modi on the "recent developments in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict", according to a readout from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Following the conversation, Modi said in a tweet that he had a "productive exchange of views" on the ongoing war. He said he and Netanyahu share concerns over the situation in the Red Sea, a reference to the disruption of trade due to the continuing attacks by Yemen-based Houthi militia.
Modi also highlighted the Indian position in favour of the peaceful resolution of the conflict through talks, the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and the release of all hostages taken by Hamas.
Yemen-based Houthi militia, backed by Iran, have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since the beginning of the Israeli War on Gaza. The Houthi attacks have led to shipping companies and energy major BP suspending transit through the Red Sea, which has already led to an increase of more than 2 per cent in the crude oil prices.
In the Israeli readout of the call, Netanyahu thanked Modi for "India's support of Israel's just war to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization".
The Israeli readout also said Modi and Netanyahu discussed "advancing the arrival of foreign workers from India to the State of Israel".
"They also discussed the global interest in preventing attacks on the global economy and trade, as well as the Indian and Israeli economies. Indian Prime Minister Modi noted that freedom of navigation is an essential global necessity that must be ensured," said the readout by the Israeli PMO.
In the Israeli War on Gaza, India has condemned the October 7 attack on Israel by Gaza-based Hamas and has called for the release of all hostages taken by the group. India has also called for the cessation of hostilities through talks and has voted in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. India has also pressed for the "urgent need" to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for "restraint and immediate humanitarian support" in the region. India has also sent multiple shipments of aid to Gaza.
Israel declared War on Gaza after Hamas mounted the worst-ever attack on Israel on October 7. Around 1,200 Israelis and foreigners were killed, 6,900 were injured, and at least 240 were abducted and taken to Gaza as hostages in the attack, according to the Israeli authorities. Israel soon began carrying out airstrikes in Gaza and also mounted a ground operation later that month. The ground operation was a watered-down version of the full-fledged invasion initially expected.
While the stated targets of Israeli strikes are Hamas leaders and facilities, widespread Palestinian civilian casualties have also taken place. Hamas-run Gazan authorities said over 19,000 Palestinians have so far been killed in Israeli attacks, most of them women and children, and over 50,000 have been injured. Around 1.9 million Palestinians have been internally displaced and estimates suggest up to a third of all houses have been destroyed or damaged in the attacks. The region is also short of food, fuel, medicines, and other essentials, and is at risk of widespread disease outbreaks. The humanitarian crises in Gaza have led to widespread calls for a ceasefire across the world amid condemnation of Israel and its partners, including the United States which remains its principal backer.
