Al-Saadoun urges swift action on Gaza conflict

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Kuwait government expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: The National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun participated in an online meeting of the parliaments of the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the ongoing attacks targeting Gaza. Al-Saadoun called upon the parliaments of all Islamic countries to impose strong regional and international pressure to stop the severe Israeli attacks on Gaza. He wondered about the reason behind the full silence over the fate of the two million civilians trapped in Gaza, as they are exposed to massacre through the use of the most devastating weapons.

Al-Saadoun stressed the need for the United Nations Security Council to force Israel to adopt the relevant international resolutions concerning the establishment of an independent state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed that words are not enough to express his feelings when he talks about the barbaric crimes committed against the Palestinians, especially women and children. Al-Saadoun asked again why the world is silent regarding the two million people who are trapped without electricity and water, and are facing severe military strikes. He said the world is witnessing the biggest massacre committed in Gaza, which is broadcast live by media, with 2,750 victims so far, most of whom are children and women. Al-Saadoun concluded by stressing that the voice of parliamentarians in the Arab and Muslim countries must reach the entire world with the support of documents that prove the unprecedented war crimes against Palestinian civilians.

The Kuwaiti government expressed on Monday its unequivocal stance towards the Palestinian people, condemning with strong words the brutal Israeli military action against the people of the Gaza Strip. During its weekly meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet reviewed the latest developments in the besieged Gaza Strip, which is under continuous assault by the Israeli Zionist regime, expressing utter detest towards the latter party’s attempts to forcefully displace Palestinians via violence and total destruction.

The Cabinet called on the international community and the UNSC to swiftly intervene and halt the dangerous escalation in the region that led to the loss of lives and the targeting of civilians. The siege on Gaza must cease to enable humanitarian aid, food, water, and other necessities to enter and save lives through various UN agencies, government, and non-government entities, it reiterated. Palestinians in besieged Gaza crowded into hospitals and schools on Monday, seeking shelter and running low on food and water. More than a million people have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel.

As the enclave’s food, water, and medicine supplies dwindled, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where trucks carrying badly needed aid have been waiting for days as mediators press for a cease-fire that would allow them to enter Gaza and allow foreigners to leave. Rafah, Gaza’s only connection to Egypt, was shut down nearly a week ago because of Israeli airstrikes. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Israel “has not taken a position to open the crossing from the Gaza side.” The Israeli government did not respond to a request for comment.

With a ground invasion of Gaza expected Israel was preparing for the potential of a new front opening on its northern border with Lebanon, where it has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. The military ordered residents from 28 Israeli communities to evacuate. Speaking to the Israeli Knesset on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, “Don’t test us in the north. Don’t make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier,” referring to Israel’s 2006 war with Hezbollah. Elsewhere, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday warned his Iranian counterpart Ibrahim Raisi against any escalation or extension of the conflict, especially to Lebanon.

He called on Iran, given its special relations with the Lebanese Hezbollah group and the Palestinian Hamas movement, to be responsible and do everything possible to avoid any regional conflict, the Elysee said in a statement, citing a readout of a phone conversation between both leaders. Macron stressed the need for “everyone to unequivocally condemn” the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas in Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself and to eliminate the terrorist groups that have struck its population. The statement indicated that Macron told his Iranian counterpart that French men and women were among the victims and hostages held by the terrorist organization. He explained that the latter’s release constituted an absolute priority for France. The two leaders discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Macron referred to France’s position on taking all necessary measures to spare civilians in Gaza and respect international humanitarian law. The statement added that France is also taking steps in cooperation with the United Nations to support humanitarian operations in Gaza. Macron expressed deep concern about the four French citizens still detained in Iran and requested their immediate release.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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