Gaza Hospital Blast: PM Modi Says Civilian Casualties 'Matter of Serious Concern'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza following a massive explosion that killed hundreds on Tuesday night. While Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, the Israeli military denied involvement, attributing the blast to a misfired Palestinian rocket.

The Prime Minister highlighted that casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict are a matter of serious concern. “Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible,” Modi wrote on X, formerly known as X.

The war that started on October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. This figure does not include the casualties of the Gaza hospital blast on Tuesday night. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, according to The Associated Press. More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden arrived in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader regional conflict and to encourage the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The UN Security Council, meanwhile, is scheduled to vote on a resolution about the fighting between Hamas and Israel, but negotiations on the wording are still underway.

(With agency inputs)