India explains why it abstained in UN vote on Israel-Hamas conflict

Despite the country’s decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, India is committed to combating terrorism, such as the attacks on Israel by Hamas, and is concerned about the civilian losses in Gaza, according to sources acquainted with the situation who spoke on Saturday.

An “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip was unanimously approved by the UN General Assembly on Friday. Alongside an increase in Israeli ground operations and bombing, it also called for the “continuous, sufficient, and unhindered” provision of life-saving supplies and services for residents stranded within the enclave.

A substantial majority of member states voted in favour of the non-binding resolution put forth by Jordan, with 120 voting in favour, 14 voting against, and 45 abstaining. At the extraordinary special session, the countries voting against the resolution included Israel, the United Governments, Hungary, and five governments in the Pacific.

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In elucidating India’s vote, Yojna Patel, the deputy permanent representative, described the terror assaults of 7 October as terrible and demanded the quick release of Hamas hostages. She added that the humanitarian situation in Gaza requires attention and that the number of casualties there is a persistent worry.

One of the individuals mentioned above, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “We abstained in the vote on its adoption because all elements of India’s approach were not covered in the final text of the resolution.”

The individual continued, “India’s unwavering and consistent stance on the matter served as our direction for our vote.
The individuals pointed out that there was no “explicit condemnation” of the Hamas terror assaults in the resolution. Before the primary resolution was put to a vote, an amendment was made to incorporate this provision. India cast 88 votes in favour of the amendment, but it fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority.

During Hamas’s attacks, almost 1,400 people were killed and several others were taken captive. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israel’s retaliatory bombings and bombardment of the enclave have resulted in the deaths of over 6,700 Palestinians.

Speaking at India’s “explanation of vote,” Patel described the current level of violence as “an affront to basic human values” due to its scope and intensity. She also said that violence does not lead to long-lasting solutions.

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She called for the unconditional and immediate release of hostages, describing the terror assaults in Israel as alarming. “Terrorism is a cancer that has no regard for boundaries, ethnicity, or nationality. There is no excuse for terror attacks that the world should accept. Set aside our differences, come together, and take a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism

However, the death toll in Gaza “is a telling, serious, and ongoing concern.” People are paying with their lives, particularly women and children, according to Patel. There is a humanitarian catastrophe that requires attention. We applaud the efforts of the international community to defuse the situation and provide Gaza residents with humanitarian aid.

According to Patel, India is also “deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and astounding loss of civilian lives” in the conflict, and the humanitarian catastrophe will only become worse if hostilities in the area escalate. “It is imperative that all stakeholders exhibit the highest level of accountability,” she continued.

A negotiated two-state solution that would result in the “establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel” was one of the several positions on Palestine that the Indian side reaffirmed.
India requested that the parties “de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations” in order to accomplish this.