Indian PM condemns strikes on Gaza, regrets loss of lives

Chennai, Jan 8 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Thursday voiced strong condemnation of the Israeli strikes in
Gaza and expressed the hope that international community will
get together to restore peace and normalcy in the region.

In a first public statement on the ongoing strikes, he
said India strongly condemned these incidents and regrets the
loss of many innocent lives.

"It is our hope that the international community will
come together to restore peace and normalcy," he said
inaugurating the seventh edition of the three-day Pravasi
Bhartiya Divas here.

He also declared India's "unstinted and unwavering
support to the just cause of Palestinians".

The strikes have caused a lot of tensions in the region,
where he said a number of Indian workers were living.
At least 660 Palestinians, including over 200 children

and nearly 100 women, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since
Israel launched its military offensive on December 27. Close
to 3,000 others have been wounded in the attacks. PTI