Brazilian President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva has delivered a thunderous condemnation of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, directly accusing the nation of employing "hunger as a weapon" against the Palestinian people. ๐ This powerful statement, made during the ongoing BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, amplifies a growing international outcry over the dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave. ๐
๐ฃ๏ธ Lula's Unwavering Stance: A Call for Justice
Addressing leaders from China, India, and other emerging economies, President Lula declared with conviction:
> "We cannot remain indifferent to the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians and the use of hunger as a weapon of war." ๐
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His remarks come amidst renewed global efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and mounting pressure from human rights organizations highlighting the catastrophic living conditions faced by Palestinians. ๐
๐ A History of Strong Words
This isn't the first time President Lula has voiced such strong criticism of Israel's military campaign. He has consistently referred to the situation in Gaza as a "genocide" and an "indiscriminate massacre," often putting him at odds with some Western allies. โ๏ธ Earlier this year, during a G7 Extended Session in Canada, he similarly stated that "nothing justifies the indiscriminate massacre of thousands of women and children and the use of hunger as a weapon of war." ๐๐ถ
๐จ Humanitarian Crisis: A Confirmed Reality
International reports and humanitarian agencies have corroborated concerns about the intentional deprivation of aid in Gaza. The UN ๐บ๐ณ, Amnesty International, and other prominent organizations have repeatedly accused Israel of impeding the delivery of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine. This has led to widespread malnutrition and famine-like conditions, particularly among children. ๐ญ The UN has unequivocally condemned the "weaponization of food" as a war crime. โ๏ธ
๐ค BRICS Amplifies the Message
While acknowledging the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks as "terrorist actions" that "absolutely nothing could justify," President Lula has consistently emphasized that Israel's retaliatory actions have gone far beyond any justifiable response, resulting in a devastating civilian death toll reported to be over 57,000. ๐ His strong stance reflects a broader sentiment among some non-aligned and developing nations that have criticized the international community's response to the Gaza crisis. ๐
His comments at the BRICS summit โ a bloc representing a significant portion of the world's population and economic output โ are likely to amplify calls for greater accountability and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza remains a critical point of contention on the global stage, with leaders like Lula demanding an end to what they describe as a deliberate and inhumane tactic of warfare. ๐๐