By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Leaders of BRICS, including China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi and Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for a ceasefire in Gaza following an offensive by Israel against Hamas in the past one year.
“We stress the urgent need for an immediate comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees from both sides who are being held illegally, and the unimpeded, sustained and large-scale flow of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, as well as an end to all aggressive actions,” the leaders said in the Kazan Declaration, named after the Russian city hosting the group’s three-day summit.
BRICS countries also reiterated “grave concern” at the deteriorating situation and humanitarian crisis in occupied Palestinian territories due to Israel’s military operation.
The declaration published by the Kremlin condemned Israeli attacks on “humanitarian operations, infrastructure, personnel and distribution points.”
The BRICS leaders also called for the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and welcomed efforts by Egypt and Qatar, as well as other regional and international efforts, to achieve an immediate cease-fire and accelerate humanitarian aid.
“We also express our alarm that further escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip risks increasing tensions, extremism and extremely harmful consequences at the regional and global levels,” the declaration also said, further calling on all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and avoid “escalatory actions and provocative statements.”
It went on to note the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice in the proceedings initiated by South Africa against Israel.
It added that BRICS reaffirms its support for Palestine’s admission as a full UN member “in the context of our unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, based on international law.”
The BRICS summit includes longtime members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – the source of the group’s name.
Only recently, it had additions which include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived on Wednesday to attend the summit as a guest.
Israel has continued a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas attack last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
Nearly 43,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 100,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.
