India Expresses Concern Over Rising Tensions In Jerusalem

India called for the blockade on Gaza to be fully lifted and humanitarian supplies and desperately-needed materials for reconstruction be allowed in without restrictions. "The suffering of the people in Gaza persists in the aftermath of this summer's conflict which resulted in tragic loss of civilian lives, especially women and children and extensive destruction of houses and infrastructure," he said.

The fighting – which raged from July 8 to August 26 – saw entire neighbourhoods in the Strip flattened, and almost one-third of Gaza's population uprooted. The violence killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, including more than 500 children, and more than 70 Israelis while also damaging or destroying over 100,000 homes.

Mukerji said apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause, India continues to support the development and nation-building efforts of Palestine by consistently extending technical and financial assistance. It has contributed a million dollars annually to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

India has recently pledged four million in response to the National Early Recovery & Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. India is implementing development projects in Palestine, jointly with Brazil and South Africa within the framework of IBSA, and has pledged a million dollars for a new project to reconstruct the Atta Habib medical centre in Gaza.

Invoking the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, Mukerji said the need of hour is to adhere to his ideology of non-violence and "eschew hatred and violence."

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