Heartbreaking loss of lives: India on Israeli airstrike on Rafah

New Delhi, NT Bureau: India on Thursday described as "heartbreaking" the loss of civilian lives in an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and called for respecting international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict.

Local officials in Gaza said 45 people were killed in the May 26 air strike, most of them sheltering in tents. The strike triggered massive global outrage including criticism from some of Israel's closest allies.

"The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern for us," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"We have consistently called for protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict," he said.

Jaiswal was responding to a question on the situation in Gaza. "We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic incident and announced an investigation into the incident," he said.