New Delhi: After Israel expanded its ground operations just as United Nations called for a ceasefire, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday to discuss Israel’s military actions in Gaza and their impact on the civilian populationWhile there was no official statement released by India regarding the conversation, the office of the Egyptian president provided a readout. According to the press release, El-Sisi “received” the phone call from the Indian leader on Saturday.“The two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and the gravity of the continuation of the current escalation, given its formidable impact on the lives of civilians and the threat it poses to the security of the entire region,” said the statement issued on Saturday.Till now, Modi had spoken with Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah.The talk also takes place in the backdrop of Israel’s unannounced ground invasion of Gaza strip, after 20 days of retaliatory airstrikes which have reportedly left over 7,000 dead. The latest escalation began after Hamas intruded into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 200 hostages.El-Sisi’s spokesperson said that the Egyptian president briefed about Cairo’s efforts to “coordinate regional and international efforts to push toward reaching a ceasefire”.Incidentally, India on Saturday abstained and did not back a resolution in the UN General Assembly that called for a humanitarian “truce” to allow for unhindered supply of essential provisions to Gaza Strip. The resolution had been tabled by Jordan on behalf of the Arab group.The Egyptian president warned of “grievous humanitarian and security repercussions of a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip”.While not explicitly terming it as a ground invasion, Israel has announced the start of the “second stage of the war” with the Israeli military entering Gaza Strip on Friday.Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and Israel, has been the focus of international effort to get humanitarian supplies to civilians amidst the constant bombardment.The Egyptian leader highlighted the “critical need for unified international action to find a prompt solution at the diplomatic level, that stipulates reinforcing an immediate humanitarian truce that protects the lives of civilians and allows the instantaneous, sustainable and unfettered delivery of humanitarian”.His words echoed the provisions of the UNGA resolution, which was adopted with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.Among the developing world, known as the Global South, India has been a outlier in not voting in favour of the resolution.