10 October 2023; MEMO: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has accused Israel of “genocide” against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Maduro made his comment in a televised address on Monday.
“The Secretary-General of the United Nations issued a statement, which we read carefully, as a warning and alert about the genocide that has begun against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” said the Venezuelan leader. “We have witnessed in the past massacres and brutal atrocities against the Palestinian people.” The current situation, he pointed out, is a “new apartheid system” against Palestinians.
“We demand an immediate ceasefire, respect for UN resolutions, respect for the rights of peoples, and the commencement of peace negotiations to allow the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights to independence, land and peace.”
READ: Venezuela holds Israel responsible for escalation in Gaza
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said earlier in the statement referred to by Maduro that, “While I recognise Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law.” He added that he is “deeply distressed” by the announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, with nothing allowed in: “No electricity, food or fuel.”
That announcement was made by Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant. He also described Palestinians as “human animals”, in a blatant effort to dehumanise the people of occupied Palestine living under Israel’s military occupation.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced on Monday evening that the death toll from Israel’s bombardment had risen to 704, including 140 children and 105 women. Almost 4,000 people have been wounded. Israeli media reported that the number of Israeli deaths had reached 900, with 2,616 wounded.
