GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping says it remains ”deeply distressed” by the escalating violence and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
(File Photo)In a statement, the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) said in light of recent developments “we reiterate the grave concern expressed” by the CARICOM leaders at the summit in Jamaica in July “over the immense, unabated suffering and tragic loss of civilian lives, particularly of women and children.
”We express grave concern over Israel’s recent decision to seize and maintain control of Gaza City, a step that risks prolonging the conflict, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, and further endangering the lives of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.
“Any such action, amounting to de facto annexation, would deepen the unfolding famine and result in the deprivation of necessities, severe malnutrition, and starvation, as well as the displacement or death of millions of Palestinians,” COFCOR said.
It said reports of the targeted killings of journalists and media workers in Israeli attacks, coupled with the prevention of international news organisations from entering Gaza, are of significant concern.
The Hamas-run civil defence agency said Gaza City has come under intense air attack as Israeli forces prepare to launch an operation to take over the city.
Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman, said the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra had been hit for three days causing “massive destruction to civilian homes”, with residents unable to recover the dead and injured.
srael’s war cabinet voted on Monday to take over Gaza City, a move condemned at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later that day. On Tuesday the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was “at the beginning of a new state of combat”.
The Israeli government has not provided an exact timetable on when its forces would enter the area. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s forces had been instructed to dismantle the “two remaining Hamas strongholds” in Gaza City and a central area around al-Mawasi.
COFCOR said “such actions impede independent verification of the situation on the ground and reaffirms that the bombardment of any civilians violates international humanitarian law.
”We continue to call for an immediate, unconditional, and sustained ceasefire with unimpeded humanitarian access. We urge all actors to pursue diplomatic efforts to facilitate a durable solution and reaffirm CARICOM’s unwavering commitment to a two-state solution as the only viable path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
CARICOM said that it “stands in solidarity with all victims and reiterates its support for the legitimate aspirations for security and stability of all Israelis, Palestinians, and peoples in the Middle East”.
