Prime Minister and PS Secretary General Antonio Costa said this Saturday that Israel has the right to defend itself militarily, but it must also do so while respecting the civilian population of Gaza.
“Israel has every right to defend itself by acting militarily against Hamas, while respecting the Palestinian civilian population,” António Costa said as part of the PS Presta Accounts initiative to present the draft government budget for 2024.
At the European Forum organized by the Socialist Youth in Alvor, municipality of Portimão, the head of government added that “the women, men and children living in the Gaza Strip” must be “guaranteed their humanitarian rights.”
Israel on Friday ordered the withdrawal of “all civilians” from the southern Gaza city – more than a million people – within 24 hours ahead of a ground offensive against the Islamist movement Hamas in response to Israel’s deadliest attack. history, exactly a week ago.
This Saturday in Gaza City, leaflets in Arabic launched by Israeli “drones” (unmanned aerial vehicles) called on residents to “leave their homes immediately.” Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing to the south of the Gaza Strip on foot, packed into cargo trailers, carts or cars.
Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, has refused to withdraw the population demanded by Israel, which has ordered population transfers to the south of the enclave, in a move that could indicate a ground offensive into Palestinian territory.
The Gaza Strip, a small, impoverished enclave of 2.3 million people under a land blockade for years, is now under siege, with water, electricity and food supplies cut off by Israel.
A week ago, the Islamist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and invading armed militias by land, sea and air.
In response, Israel bombed several Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip from the air and imposed a complete blockade of the territory, cutting off supplies of water, fuel and electricity.
The attacks have already killed and injured thousands of people in both territories.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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