People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that people of India stand firmly with his country in this difficult hour, expressing strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Netanyahu called up Modi to update him on the ongoing situation as Israel carries out retaliatory strikes against Hamas after its militants killed hundreds of Israelis in a surprise weekend attack across its southern border.

The Indian leader expressed his deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded, his office said in a statement, and highlighted the issue of safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel. Netanyahu assured him of full cooperation and support.

“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” PM Modi posted on X.Israel’s Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon thanked PM Modi for his support.

“Thank you again PM @narendramodi-ji. Since we get SO MUCH support from our Indian brothers and sisters, I’m unfortunately unable to thank each and every one of you personally.

Please accept this as my gratitude to all our friends.”At least 900 Israelis have been killed in the Hamas attacks while over 2,616 were injured, according to the latest reports.

In a war update shared by Israel Defence forces (IDF) on X, the IDF said that about 30 hostages have been held by Hamas in Gaza in the ongoing conflict.It also stated that about 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza on Israel and Israeli defence forces struck 1290 Hamas targets in Gaza.The Israeli Air Force continues to extensively attack many targets of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.

An IDF spokesperson confirmed that 123 soldiers have been killed in the fighting, and 50 families have been informed that a relative was kidnapped by Hamas.

As part of its retaliation against Hamas, Israel has mobilised 3,00,000 troops in the last 48 hours. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari informed about the mobilisation and said the IDF “has never mobilized so many reservists so quickly — 300,000 reservists in 48 hours.

This is the largest mobilisation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Israel called up 400,000 reservists, Times of Israel reported.

The Israel Defense Forces said they have finally regained control over the border with the Gaza Strip , 72 hours after Hamas terrorists blew through sections of the barrier and launched an invasion that saw over 1,000 Israelis slaughtered or kidnapped.

On Monday Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked several targets of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The aircraft attacked a building used by Hamas and “an operational infrastructure located inside a mosque”. In addition, an underground tunnel shaft of the terrorist organization and military infrastructure used by the Hamas were also attacked.