$12.5 million, 135 MT aid sent to Gaza in 2 years

India on Thursday reaffirmed its unequivocal humanitarian support for the people of Gaza, disclosing that New Delhi had dispatched 135 metric tonnes of relief material and extended $12.5 million in financial assistance to the region since the conflict began two years ago.

Responding through a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India had consistently condemned civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and unhindered supply of aid to Palestinians.

The MoS said New Delhi had sent four tranches of medicines and medical supplies (totalling 81.5 MT) between October 2023 and November 2024. Additional consignments of food items, tents, sanitation material and emergency kits took India’s total humanitarian assistance to around 135 MT.

Besides, India has contributed $12.5 million to UNRWA -- including $2.5 million released last month -- to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for Palestinian refugees across the region.

Singh underscored that India’s position has been conveyed at every major diplomatic platform, including the United Nations, BRICS, NAM and the Voice of Global South.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, he said, had been in regular contact with leaders in West Asia, including Israel’s President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, as well as the President and Foreign Minister of Palestine.

He recalled Modi’s meeting with the Palestinian President on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York in September-2024, when India had reiterated its call for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations.

India has also backed efforts for sustainable peace at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in October-2025, where Singh represented New Delhi.

Reiterating that humanitarian support remains central to India’s approach, Singh said New Delhi continues to press for “safe, sustained and timely” assistance to Gaza and remains committed to all diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.