Gaza crisis triggered by Hamas attack: Indian External Affairs Minister

Strongly articulating India’s views and speaking for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who could not attend the “extraordinary joint meeting” of the Brics grouping convened by the grouping’s Chair South Africa in virtual mode on Tuesday evening, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar (EAM) reminded the Brics leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, that the “immediate (West Asia) crisis was triggered by the terrorist attack (on Israel) of October 7” (carried out by Palestinian militant group Hamas).He added that “where terrorism itself is concerned, none of us should or can compromise with it”. In a strong criticism of the actions of Hamas without naming it, the EAM further pointed out that “hostage taking is equally unacceptable and cannot be condoned”, a reference to the Hamas taking Israeli hostages into Gaza after the raid on October 7. However, in a veiled message to Israel, the EAM also strongly condemned civilian casualties in the (Israel-Hamas) conflict. He pointed out that the “universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law” cannot be circumvented. He expressed grief over the "immense human suffering" in the Gaza Strip, advocated restraint and de-escalation, and referred to the current humanitarian assistance and ongoing development assistance for long by India to the Palestinian people and batted for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.