The African Union (AU), Malaysia and Turkey have denounced Israel’s latest deadly attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip.
In a statement on Sunday, the head of the African Union Commission (AUC) condemned Israeli “airstrike attacks” on the Palestinian enclave.
The first airstrike was carried out on Friday. So far, more than 30 Palestinians have been killed and well over 250 wounded.
“(AUC Chairperson) Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the continued airstrike attacks by Israel on Gaza that have killed more than 30 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children,” an AU statement said.
The “targeting of civilians and the continued illegal occupation by Israeli security forces of the Occupied Territories, are in stark violation of international law, and complicate the search for a just and lasting solution,” the statement said.
In response to the Israeli brutality against Gaza, home to some 2.3 million Palestinians, resistance forces fired more than 500 rockets at the occupied territories, setting off air raid sirens and sending settlers running to bomb shelters.
The Islamic Jihad called the retaliatory barrage only an “initial response.” The Palestinian resistance movement’s Secretary General Ziad al-Nakhalah said the Israeli enemy must expect a “non-stop” confrontation.
The AU on Sunday once again emphasized its support for “the Palestinian people in their legitimate quest for an independent and sovereign State” with East al-Quds as its capital.
Malaysia condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza
Separately on Sunday, Malaysia also condemned the Israeli aggression in the strongest terms.
“This latest atrocity by Israel was indeed a blatant disregard of the international law and the many principles of humanity,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah in a statement, urging the international community to pressure Israel to swiftly stop its aggression against the Palestinians.
“The international community must censure Israel over its selfish provocative assaults and apartheid policy against the fundamental rights, lives, livelihood and dignity of the Palestinians of all faiths in their own land. There should not be any double standards in addressing conflicts,” Abdullah said.
Malaysia’s top diplomat also reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for and solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause.
Turkey urges de-escalation in Gaza, slams Israeli aggression
In another development on Sunday, Turkey denounced the latest Israeli aggression and called for immediate de-escalation.
“We strongly condemn the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. We find it unacceptable that civilians, including children, lost their lives in attacks,” said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement.
“We are deeply concerned about the rising tension in the region after the attacks. We emphasize the need to immediately end these events before they turn into a new conflict, and call for restraint and common sense.”
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kana’ani sharply criticized the Israeli airstrikes. He censured the international community’s “regrettable” inaction and silence under these circumstances.