India has joined 50 other United Nations member states in endorsing a call for improved humanitarian and healthcare access in Gaza as winter approaches, the Press Trust of India reported. New Delhi also stressed the need for renewed efforts to secure lasting peace and stability in the region.India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel, joined other UN ambassadors at a media briefing led by Jordan, Qatar and the UK on Thursday.
The participating countries endorsed the Call to Action on Humanitarian Access and Health in Gaza.“As winter sets in, India reiterates the importance of safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian assistance to suffering civilians, especially women and children, in Gaza,” the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a post on X on Friday.“We emphasise the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring respect for international humanitarian law, and the need for renewed efforts towards lasting peace and stability in the region,” the mission added. According to PTI, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, delivered a joint statement on behalf of the participating countries, which included Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France and Greece.In the joint statement, the countries said that following the elections in Israel, they were reiterating their call to the incoming Israeli government to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.
They also called on the incoming government to facilitate the operation of the Egyptian and Jordanian humanitarian corridors and approve additional critical items, particularly shelter material, fuel, water, sanitation and health supplies, to prevent a further deterioration in public health.The statement reiterated the call to restore the medical referral route to hospitals in East Jerusalem and the West Bank for people with illnesses and injuries that cannot be adequately treated in Gaza.It also stressed the need to protect healthcare workers, medical facilities and medical transport in line with international humanitarian law. The countries called for transparent criminal investigations into attacks on healthcare and humanitarian workers to be opened and expedited.The countries committed to supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza, including urgent preparations for winter.
These efforts will cover shelter, water, sanitation and health supplies aimed at reducing suffering and limiting public health risks.The joint initiative focuses on securing unhindered aid access, protecting civilians and healthcare services, and providing essential winter supplies in Gaza while renewing efforts towards lasting peace and stability in the region.With PTI Inputs- Ends