Days after an Israeli attack in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, that killed 45, India described the loss of lives as “heartbreaking”, while reiterating its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“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,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

He also noted the Israeli statement on the Rafah airstrikes and said, “We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic accident and announced an investigation into the incident.”

When asked about the coordinated decision by Spain, Ireland, and Norway to formally recognise Palestine, Jaiswal said, “As you are aware, India was one of the first countries to recognise the state of Palestine in the late 1980s, and we have long supported a two-state solution which entails the establishment of a sovereign, viable, and independent state of Palestine within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace.”

As part of its retaliation against the October 7 attack by the Islamic terror outfit Hamas, killing around 1200 and kidnapping more than 200 civilians, the Netanyahu-led Israeli government has been continuing its military offensive.