New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in India for its “silence and inaction” amid the ongoing violence in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military.
Her remarks come as the death toll from the two-year-long conflict in Gaza nears 60,000, with increasing numbers of people dying from starvation and malnutrition, according to Reuters. Disturbing images of starving children have been widely circulated on social media, intensifying global condemnation of Israel as the humanitarian crisis deepens amid escalating tensions.
Taking to X, Gandhi stated, “The Israeli state is committing genocide. It has murdered over 60,000 people, 18,430 of whom were children. It has starved hundreds to death including many children and is threatening to starve millions. Enabling these crimes by silence and inaction is a crime in itself.”
She added, “It is shameful that the Indian Government stands silent as Israel unleashes this devastation on the people of Palestine.”
Gandhi also condemned the killing of at least five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, calling it “cold-blooded murder.” She praised the “immeasurable courage of those who dare to stand for the truth,” stating that such bravery “will never be broken by the violence and hatred of the Israeli state.”
In a separate post on X, she wrote, “The cold-blooded murder of five Al Jazeera journalists is yet another heinous crime committed on Palestinian soil.”
Al Jazeera confirmed that journalist Anas al-Sharif and four colleagues were killed in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City. The Israeli military later acknowledged the strike, claiming it had killed a Hamas cell leader who was posing as an Al Jazeera journalist.
Gandhi said, “In a world where much of the media is enslaved to power and commerce, these brave souls reminded us of what true journalism is. May they rest in peace.”
This is not the first time Gandhi has strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza. Earlier this year, she joined international voices denouncing Israel after an attack killed 400 innocent civilians, including 130 children.
The United Nations Human Rights Office on Monday condemned the airstrike targeting the journalists’ tent, calling for “immediate, safe and unhindered access to Gaza for all journalists.”
Describing the strike as a “grave breach of international humanitarian law,” the UN urged, “#Israel must respect & protect all civilians, including journalists. At least 242 Palestinian journalists were killed in Gaza since 7 Oct 2023.”
With PTI inputs