Israel has continued its military offensive in Gaza since Hamas launched the attack in October 2023.
New Delhi:
BRICS nations on Monday expressed grave concern about the “unprecedented” escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli military operations and reaffirmed their support for Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations.
At a meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, BRICS foreign ministers reiterated the group’s unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue based on international law.
Secretary (Economic Relations) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi, represented India at the crucial meeting.
The BRICS comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
“The ministers expressed great concern about the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operation that led to the mass displacement of civilians, death and casualties ,” a statement said. joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.
BRICS is an acronym for the group’s original members – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The group also called for the immediate, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population across the Gaza Strip.
It also pushed for the effective implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2728 for an immediate, lasting and sustained ceasefire.
The Foreign Ministers “also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and civilians who are illegally held captive”.
They expressed great concern about Israel’s increased attacks on Rafah, saying it would worsen the “dire” humanitarian situation.
“The ministers also condemned the Israeli military operation in Rafah and its ramifications that directly affect the lives of civilians, especially taking into account the high density of Palestinian civilians in this location,” the statement said.
An Israeli airstrike last month killed 45 people in a camp for displaced people in Rafah, triggering huge global outrage.
“They also reaffirmed their rejection of any attempt to forcibly displace, expel or transfer the Palestinian people from their lands,” he said.
“Furthermore, they warned against the side effects of the escalation of tensions for the rest of the Middle East region. They recognized the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice in the legal proceedings initiated by South Africa against Israel”, he stated.
The ministers expressed “serious concern about Israel’s continued flagrant disregard for international law, the UN Charter, UN resolutions and court orders,” according to the statement.
Israel has continued its military offensive in Gaza as part of its retaliation for the unprecedented attack on Israeli cities by Hamas on October 7.
Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220 others, some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire.
More than 35,000 people were killed in Gaza in the Israeli offensive, according to Hamas-run authorities in Gaza.
India has called for de-escalation of the situation and creation of conditions for a quick resumption of direct peace negotiations with a view to a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
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