New Delhi, June 26: The Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, expressed strong confidence on Thursday that India will soon send significant medical assistance to Gaza, where the health system is in a state of complete collapse.
In an interview, Abu Shawesh described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “very poor,” noting that only 17 out of 36 hospitals are operational to some extent. Since the ceasefire was declared last October, over 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives.
He accused the international community of not making sufficient efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue and acknowledged India’s support for a two-state solution and its ongoing peace initiatives.
When asked about Palestine’s demand for medicines and medical equipment from India, he stated that since the onset of the Israeli conflict, India has sent substantial quantities of medicines and medical supplies. He recently held a press conference at the Palestinian Embassy, appealing to the international community, particularly the people and government of India, to assist the Palestinian people. He expressed optimism that the Indian government would soon take significant steps to provide aid, mentioning a recent conversation with the Foreign Minister who assured him of ongoing efforts. He also noted that various Indian individuals and organizations are reaching out to offer help.
Regarding the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, he emphasized that it is not just a singular problem but a multitude of humanitarian crises, each with its own severity. With nearly 1,000 days of the Israeli conflict nearing completion, Gaza has suffered extensive destruction of infrastructure and health services. Approximately 700,000 Palestinian students have lost two years of education. A recent shocking report from the United Nations Human Rights Council highlighted the impact of Israeli attacks on children and their childhood.
Abu Shawesh also pointed out that hunger and food shortages persist in Gaza, although the situation has improved slightly compared to previous months. He stated that over 1,000 Palestinians, including 250 children, have been killed since the ceasefire was announced last October, with around 5,000 children’s bodies still buried under the rubble according to recent UN reports.
When asked about expectations from the United Nations and other international organizations, he stressed the importance of continuous, detailed, and verified reports from the UN documenting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
He acknowledged that the recent crisis in West Asia has pushed the Palestinian issue down the international agenda, as the focus has shifted to the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
On India-Palestine relations, he expressed confidence that India firmly supports the two-state solution and has consistently stood by the Palestinian people. He noted India’s contributions to the peace process and ongoing development projects in Palestine, including plans for a new hospital project in the West Bank.
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