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'Urged Israel to at least stop bombing Gaza during Ramadan': PM Modi in interview

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 17 May 2024, 08:13 am

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed in an interview on Thursday that India had sent a special envoy to Israel to stop bombing Gaza during Ramadan.

Speaking to India Today, PM Modi underscored the efforts made by India to pursue Israel against conducting bombing on Gaza.

Modi stated that despite relentless efforts by the opposition to corner him on the “Muslim issue,” he has chosen to not publicise his effort to counter such allegations.

"It was the month of Ramadan. So, I sent my special envoy to Israel and asked him to convey and explain to the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) that at least do not carry out bombings in Gaza during Ramadan. They (Israel) made every effort to follow it but in the end, there was a fight for two-three days," the Prime Minister said.

"Here, you keep on cornering me on the Muslims issue but, I didn't publicise it," Modi said.

Modi added that several other countries also tried to stop the war between Israel and Hamas, and their efforts must have borne fruit as well.

The conflict in Gaza intensified after the Hamas terror group attacked Israel on October 7, when around 2,500 terrorists breached the border from the Gaza Strip, resulting in casualties and the taking of hostages.

Recently, during another interaction about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Modi recalled telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that today's era is not one of war.

Modi mentioned that he had the courage to look Putin in the eye and say, "this is not the time for war."

He emphasized that India has maintained an independent stance on ongoing global conflicts.