Israel-Hamas conflict: Netanyahu calls Modi, briefs him on recent developments

This is the second time that Modi and Netanyahu have spoken after the October 7 Hamas attacks; the first conversation had taken place on October 10 — days after PM Modi had expressed “shock” at the “news of terrorist attacks in Israel”.

Three weeks into the conflict, India on October 27 had abstained in the UNGA on a resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict leading to a cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip.

A statement by the Prime Minister’s office on Tuesday said that the two leaders shared concerns regarding the safety of maritime traffic. “(The) Prime Minister reiterated the need for continued humanitarian aid for the affected population and emphasised an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict, including the release of all hostages through dialogue and diplomacy,” it said, adding that the two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said, “The two leaders discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, which is threatened by the aggression of the Houthis, instigated by Iran, and the global interest in preventing attacks on the global economy and trade, as well as the Indian and Israeli economies.”

Yemen’s Houthis have targeted Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas. In the past few days, some of the world’s largest container shipping companies have stopped or rerouted movements through the Red Sea.

The two leaders also discussed advancing the arrival of workers from India to Tel Aviv, the Israeli PMO statement said. Israel urgently needs workers to continue its construction projects, its Minister of Economy Nir Barkat had discussed the possibility of bringing workers from India during his visit to Delhi in April this year.

The largest group of about 80,000 workers in the Israeli construction industry come from the Palestinian Authority, and the ongoing war has created a shortage of workforce. While there are about 18,000 Indians working in Israel, most of them are caregivers.

Netanyahu also thanked PM Modi for “India’s support of Israel’s just war to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization”, the Israeli PMO statement said.

About 1,200 people were killed and more than 230 taken hostage during the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Israel’s retaliatory air and ground offensive has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, displaced some 1.9 million population, demolished much of northern Gaza and sparked attacks on US and Israeli targets across the region.