The 28th International Film Festival being held in the Indian state of Kerala began by expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine, reports said.
The film festival, which is expected to attract over 12,000 participants from various countries, at the start expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have been suffering because of the ongoing bombings by Israel.
According to reports, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while inaugurating the event, said the festival uniquely "strives to stand in solidarity with the struggles of the Palestinian people".
On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip. Israel declared war on Hamas and implemented a complete blockade of Gaza, cutting off supplies of food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel. Israel also launched an indiscriminate bombing campaign and ground invasion of Gaza. Some 1,200 Israelis - military and civilians - were killed in Hamas' attack and some 18,000 Palestinians in the Israeli military operations since then, with more than 38,000 Palestinians wounded.