In a significant diplomatic outreach, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sent a personal letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging India to intervene amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This development was confirmed by the Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdallah M. Abu Shawesh, during an interview.
Ambassador Shawesh indicated that President Abbas’s letter is a direct appeal for Modi to leverage India’s robust diplomatic ties with Israel. The letter specifically requests the release of over $2 billion in Palestinian tax revenues that have been withheld and advocates for the facilitation of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“The president’s message is clear and personal,” Shawesh stressed, urging PM Modi to utilize his strong relationship with Israel to help alleviate what he termed a “starvation war” against Gaza. He highlighted the dire situation on the ground, noting that thousands of trucks laden with humanitarian aid are currently stalled outside Gaza while residents suffer from acute food shortages. “People are dying,” he lamented.
The ambassador painted a dire picture of the situation in Gaza, describing widespread devastation and desperation. “Hunger is striking Gaza,” he said, revealing that over 1,000 Palestinians have perished in their attempts to access humanitarian aid. With more than 80 percent of buildings damaged and 95 percent of the population displaced, many are now living in makeshift tents.
Shawesh pointed to the blockade imposed by Israel, which he claims has the backing of the United States and several Western nations, as a major cause of the humanitarian disaster. He emphasized that the ongoing situation represents not just a military conflict but a systematic “war of starvation.”
He acknowledged India’s historical support for Palestine, citing its consistent voting pattern at the United Nations and contributions in developmental and educational aid. “India has always stood with Palestine. We are now asking it to do more, to act using its heavy political weight and its global leadership,” Shawesh remarked.
India has maintained a Representative Office in Ramallah and has supported various projects in the Palestinian territories, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Library in Gaza and a hospital in the West Bank, which are crucial even amidst the ongoing conflict. Shawesh expressed optimism about India’s potential leadership role in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza.
In addressing concerns about groups like Hamas, especially in relation to India’s issues with cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, Shawesh clarified the distinction between the Palestinian Authority and militant factions. “India’s relationship is with the Palestinian Liberation Organization, not Hamas. We respect India’s sovereignty and have never interfered in any country’s internal matters,” he stated.
Abbas’s letter is seen as part of broader diplomatic efforts by Palestine to seek international support amid the worsening crisis in Gaza, reflecting a significant level of trust in India’s increasing global influence and its historical commitment to Palestinian self-determination.
