Committed to countering terror: India after UN vote on Israel-Hamas conflict

India is committed to countering terrorism such as the Hamas attacks on Israel and has concerns about the civilian casualties in Gaza despite the country's decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

- Rezaul H Laskar

The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a landslide resolution for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce" between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. It also demanded "continuous, sufficient and unhindered" provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped within the enclave amid an expansion of Israeli ground operations and bombardment.

The non-binding resolution proposed by Jordan was adopted by a large majority of member states, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions. Israel, the US, Hungary and five Pacific Island states were among the countries that voted against the resolution at an extraordinary special session.

In a marked difference from the position of its neighbours and much of the global south, India abstained from the vote. Explaining India's position, the deputy permanent representative, Yojna Patel, said the October 7 terror attacks were shocking and called for the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas. She also said the casualties in Gaza are a continuing concern and the humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed.