New Delhi. India on Thursday called for respecting international humanitarian law during the conflict, calling the death of civilians in the Israeli attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza “heartbreaking”. Local officials in Gaza said that 45 people were killed in the air strike on May 26, most of whom were taking shelter in tents. The attack sparked massive outrage across the world and was criticized even by some of Israel’s closest allies.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said, “The heartbreaking death of civilians in the refugee camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern for us.” He said, “We have consistently called for the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict in the region.” Jaiswal was responding to a question on the situation in Gaza in his weekly press conference.
He said, “We also underline that the Israeli side has already accepted its responsibility, considering it a tragic incident and has announced an investigation into the incident.” Spain, Ireland and Norway had recognised Palestine as a nation amidst the war in Gaza. On being asked about this, Jaiswal said that India had done so in the 1980s itself.
He said, “India had recognised Palestine in the 1980s itself. It has been our long-standing stance that we support a two-nation solution, which includes the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian state within recognised and mutually agreed borders, which can live in peace with Israel.”
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza in response to Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israeli cities on October 7. Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220 people, some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire. In response, Israel’s military action has killed about 35,000 people.
On cancellation of Prajwal’s diplomatic passport, Foreign Ministry said: Action will be taken after the reply
MP Prajwal Revanna, accused of sexually harassing several women, has been given time till June 2 to respond to the ‘show cause notice’ sent by the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the cancellation of his diplomatic passport. The Ministry of External Affairs said this on Thursday before Janata Dal (Secular) MP Revanna is likely to return to India from Germany on May 31. The Ministry of External Affairs had issued a ‘show cause notice’ to Revanna on May 23 asking why his diplomatic passport should not be canceled as demanded by the Karnataka government in view of the allegations of sexual harassment against him.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We received a request from the Karnataka government on May 21. As per the Indian Passport Act, we started the process of cancelling Prajwal Revanna’s (diplomatic) passport on May 23.” He said, “On May 23, we issued him a ‘show cause notice’. He has to respond to the notice in 10 days. We are waiting for his response. After ten days, we will take action accordingly.”
Jaiswal made this remark in response to a question at the weekly press conference. The Ministry of External Affairs had initiated the process to cancel Prajwal Revanna’s passport after receiving a letter from the Karnataka government. Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Devegowda, is at the center of sexual abuse cases and the Hassan MP went abroad on April 27, a day after voting for the Lok Sabha elections in his constituency. Last week, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take “prompt and necessary” action to cancel Prajwal’s diplomatic passport. The Chief Minister had also sent a similar letter to the Prime Minister on May 1.