Malé, 14 October 2023 (TDI): The Government of Maldives strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli military aggression against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, Palestine on October 13.

The Maldives also condemned the demand of the Israeli military to displace 1.2 million Palestinian civilians from northern Gaza to its south within 24 hours.

While urging to reverse the displacement of Palestinian civilians, the Maldivian government stressed, “Absent of any guarantees of safety or return this would amount to the war crime of forcible transfer. It must be reversed.”

The Maldivian government stated that the indiscriminate attacks are already claiming the lives of hundreds of innocent civilian Palestinians, including women and children, and wounding thousands more.

Furthermore, it was added that the attacks have further destroyed critical infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, United Nations (UN) facilities, residential buildings, and places of worship.

The Government of Maldives considered these deliberate acts of aggression against the innocent civilian population of Palestine a blatant disregard and violation of international humanitarian law, equivalent to a war crime.

Besides that, it called on the international community to use all possible measures to stop the ongoing inhumane attacks against innocent civilians in Palestine.

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Also, the government urged the international community to ensure the opening of humanitarian corridors to facilitate the urgent delivery of medicines, food supplies, and basic needs to the Gaza Strip.

The Maldivian government and the people of Maldives reiterated their commitment and unconditional support to the Palestinian people in their legitimate pursuit to attain their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination.

It supported that a lasting and sustainable solution to the conflict can only be possible through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.