German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the month of Ramadan so that vital humanitarian aid can be provided to the Palestinian people in need.
“I am sure that the majority of Israelis and Palestinians want the same thing: Peace. One step that can be taken for that is a longer ceasefire, and ideally during Ramadan,” said Scholz, Sunday (10/3).
Apart from ensuring that more humanitarian aid can arrive in the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire will also ensure that Israeli citizens held hostage are freed, Scholz said.
“The President of the United States (Joe Biden) and I and many other people are committed to making this happen with all our efforts,” he said.
In the statement he made to welcome Ramadan, Scholz said he understood the feelings of Muslims who are very worried regarding the condition of their brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip.
“The thoughts and feelings of Muslims today are of course focused on the women, men and children in the Middle East. Many of them have friends and family members they are worried regarding. I want to ensure that they are not alone,” said Scholz.
Also read: PBNU warns of dangerous impacts if the Gaza conflict continues
However, the German Chancellor said that Israel also has the right to defend itself once morest Hamas.
“However, Israel must continue to comply with international laws and protect civilians,” he said.
He also emphasized that Germany is committed to sending food, medicine and other forms of assistance to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Also read: Brazil and Russia Urge Israel to Stop Atrocities in Gaza
Even though the pressure from the international community for a ceasefire to be realized is increasing, diplomatic efforts to achieve this have not yet reached a clear end. Even so, Biden still believes that a ceasefire will definitely occur.
Israel’s military aggression once morest the Gaza Strip since October 7 2023 has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and injured more than 72,600 others.
The International Court of Justice issued a preliminary ruling on January 26 ordering Israel to stop carrying out genocide and work towards improving humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. (Ant/Z-1)
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