India flies in its first batch of aid for Gaza

India on Sunday sent nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine amid mounting global concerns over the plight of civilians living in Gaza.

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The consignments were sent in a C-17 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

"India sends Humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine departs for El-Arish airport in Egypt," Bagchi said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened on Saturday to let a trickle of desperately needed aid into the besieged Palestinian territory for the first time since Israel sealed it off following Hamas' bloody rampage two weeks ago.

In his post on X along with a photo of the jet, Bagchi said, "The material includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets among other necessary items." India sent the aid three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed condolences to President of Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas over the deaths of nearly 500 civilians at a hospital in Gaza and reiterated India's long-standing "principled position" on the Israel-Palestine issue.

Israel's bombing campaign in retaliation to Hamas' October 7 surprise attacks has killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

In a phone conversation on Thursday, the Prime Minister told the Palestine Authority President that New Delhi will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.