New Delhi, India

Indian foreign ministry said Thursday (Feb 1) that it was extending financial assistance to Palestine both bilaterally and through the United Nations but warned that it had zero tolerance for terrorism. The statement comes as Israel has accused officials of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees of being involved in the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas. 

Advertisment

×

"On UNRWA, India is an important development partner of Palestine, and we have been extending assistance to them both bilaterally and through the United Nations. but at the same time, we have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, and in this regard, we are deeply concerned at the allegations that the UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 terror attacks," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. 

Israel’s allegations against UNRWA

Advertisment

As per Israeli account, several UNRWA officials were involved in carrying out the deadly Oct 7 attacks, including kidnapping Israeli citizens and setting up an operation room. Following these allegations, several nations, including the US, have suspended their aid programmes for the UNRWA.

Also read: Netanyahu rejects reports of Gaza truce, rules out freeing `thousands of terrorists`

The UN has now launched an investigation into the matter, a move welcomed by India. "We also welcome investigations launched by the United Nations in this regard," the MEA spokesperson added.

Advertisment

According to CNN, the UN has already suspended nine of the 12 UNRWA officials suspected of carrying out Oct 7 attacks on Israeli soil.

India ‘takes note’ of ICJ ruling

Indian foreign ministry also took note of the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) released last Friday (Jan 26) which directed Israel to prevent “acts of genocide” in Gaza.

×

However, the order stopped short of ordering an end to the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave.

Watch: Israeli PM Netanyahu says UNRWA is 'totally infiltered by Hamas'

×

“We have taken note of the provisional measures that the ICJ has given verdict on,” said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. It has to be noted that Jaiswal neither welcomed nor condemned the ruling.

(With inputs from agencies)