Portugal has called for “immediate end to hostilities” in Gaza
Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is “deeply concerned” about Israel’s plans to “expand military operations in the Gaza Strip”.
In a statement, the ministry has called for an “immediate end to hostilities” and the “release of hostages”, while urging Israel to allow the “large-scale resumption of humanitarian aid.”
Israeli attacks in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 92 people, including women, children and two journalists, authorities in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave revealed.
At the same time, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed doubts about the survival of three hostages who were previously thought to be alive in Gaza.
The latest attacks come just days after Israel approved a plan to intensify its operations in the Palestinian enclave, which includes seizing Gaza, holding captured territories, forcibly relocating Palestinians to southern Gaza and taking control of aid distribution, along with private security companies.
More than 30 independent United Nations experts on Wednesday warned that states must “act now” to prevent the “annihilation of Palestinians” in the Gaza Strip.
According to these experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, the choice for each state is “clear: remain passive and witness the massacre of innocents or participate in the drafting of a just resolution”.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has also urged Israel to “immediately abandon any plans for annexation in Gaza and mass forcible transfer of Palestinians”.
The London-based NGO, which focuses on human rights, says “Israel has continued to commit genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreversible harm being inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza.”
“Any move by Israel to displace Palestinians to the south of the Gaza Strip and confine them into so-called “closed bubbles” or continue to impose inhumane conditions of life to push Palestinians out of Gaza, would amount to the war crime of unlawful transfer or deportation. If these actions are committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population, they would also constitute crimes against humanity,” says Amnesty International
“After imposing two months of full siege on Gaza, Israel’s declared intentions to expand its already devastating military offensive, further entrench its unlawful occupation of the Gaza Strip, and forcibly displace Palestinians could inflict a final blow leading to the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, who for months on end have been struggling to survive amid Israel’s ongoing genocide,” says Erika Guevara Rosas Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns at Amnesty International.
