Tensions between Israel and Palestine have reached alarming heights as Hamas fighters launched a staggering number of at least 5,000 rockets on Saturday morning. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a decisive "state of war".
Some countries have expressed
solidarity with Israel while others stood with Palestine.
Countries supporting Israel include the US, UK, India, Germany, Ukraine, France, Canada, Switzerland and Georgia, while countries standing by Palestine include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait and Syria. Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have called for a de-escalation of the conflict and a return to the negotiating table.
Although the Indian government has expressed solidarity with Israel,
several Muslim groups in the country have voiced their support for Palestine, saying that "the current wave of violence is the result of the Israeli aggression unleashed by the right-wing (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu government against the Palestinians, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including children".
On Sunday evening, a rally in support of Palestine was held by a group of students from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh.
Muslim scholar Yusuf Ansari, speaking to Sputnik India, refuted the notion of a division within the community regarding the conflict, asserting the robust bond between India and Palestine.
"The former president of Palestine, Yasser Arafat, was a state guest of India on several occasions. The Indian government has supported the Palestinian cause and maintained that Palestinians should get their fundamental rights. In fact, India was one of the first countries to recognise Palestine in 1988," Ansari said.
Ansari believes that neither the attack by Hamas militants nor Israel's retaliation can be justified.
Afzal stated that authorities of both the
countries should return to the negotiation table and resolve the issue.
Furthermore, his belief is that the United States is actively instigating conflicts on a global scale, driven by its vested interest in promoting weapon sales worldwide.