New Delhi: India on Monday condemned the attack
by Israeli marine commandos on a six-ship convoy carrying
hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to
Gaza strip killing at least 9 people and wounding 60.
"India deplores the tragic loss of life and the reports
of killings and injuries to people on the boats carrying
supplies for Gaza," an External Affairs Ministry statement
said here.
"There can be no justification for such indiscriminate use
of force, which we condemn. We extend our sympathies to the
families of the dead and wounded," it added.
It underlined India`s firm conviction that lasting peace
and security in the region can be achieved only through
peaceful dialogue and not through use of force.
Some 700 pro-Palestinian activists were on board the
flotilla, including 1976 Nobel Peace laureate Mairead Corrigan
Maguire of Northern Ireland, European legislators and an
elderly Holocaust survivor.
Israeli marine commandos had opened fire after being
attacked with axes and knives by a number of passengers on
board the aid ships, an Israeli private channel, without
disclosing the source of its information, said.
Most of the dead were Turkish nationals.
While the Israeli Army said 10 activists were killed, the
Turkish charity involved with the tragedy claimed 15 people
were shot dead.
PTI
