Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riyad al-Maliki, has emphasized the urgent need to stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, protect civilians, end forced displacement, and facilitate the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.
Al-Maliki’s statements were made during a meeting today with his Irish counterpart, Michael Martin, and the accompanying delegation at the ministry headquarters in Ramallah.
Al-Maliki pointed out that the brutal Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip targets every corner of the region, leaving no safe place within the territory. He highlighted that Israel has exploited the pretext of self-defense to commit massacres, resulting in the loss of more than 11,000 Palestinian lives, the majority being children and women.
‘[Gaza] is also facing starvation, displacement, and widespread destruction, all of which constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law,’ said Al-Maliki.
The Foreign Minister decried
the positions of some countries that have not changed their stance even after 41 days of Israeli aggression. He noted their continued support for Israel’s so-called right to self-defense, effectively granting Israel the justification to persist in its attacks and crimes against innocent civilians in Gaza.
The Foreign Minister also addressed the challenging conditions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where violations by Israeli occupation forces and armed settler militias are escalating.
He condemned the incitement by Israeli ministers, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, advocating for the killing of Palestinian civilians and the annexation of the West Bank. Al-Maliki also highlighted the ongoing daily bloody incursions by Israeli occupation forces into Palestinian cities, towns, and camps, resulting in 200 deaths, over 2,700 injuries, and the arbitrary detention of 2,500 individuals since October 7.
The Minister urged countries supporting the two-state solution to recognize t
he State of Palestine to establish the foundations of peace in the region, emphasizing that it is impossible to discuss support for a two-state solution while not recognizing the State of Palestine.
In response, the Irish Minister expressed sadness for the loss of civilian lives and called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. He highlighted Ireland’s efforts, both independently and through the European Union, to stop the ongoing events in Gaza.
Martin emphasized the necessity of opening humanitarian corridors for essential aid into Gaza and expressed concerns about the escalating situation in the West Bank.
Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA