India concerned over Gaza violence

India on Sunday expressed concern over “steep escalation of violence” between Israel and Palestine in and around Gaza and urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint.

“We urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid taking any action that may further exacerbate the situation,” said Syed Akbaruddin, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Israel on Sunday continued to bomb Gaza Strip from air and sea, indicating that it was also preparing for a ground invasion. Palestinians too fired rockets targeting Israel’s commercial capital Tel Aviv.

Noting that escalating violence threatens peace and security in West Asia, New Delhi said the situation has to de-escalate urgently as the region was already under turmoil.

India holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of November and on Wednesday had an emergency meeting to send a strong message to both Israel and Palestine to de-escalate the situation and to stop violence immediately.