Israeli Ground Offensive Against Gaza City, State of Palestine

The Brazilian Government firmly condemns the latest escalation of Israel’s military offensive against the Gaza Strip, marked by the launch, in the early hours of last night, of a new ground incursion into Gaza City, in the State of Palestine.

This additional act of grave violation of international law and international humanitarian law adds to others committed against the city’s civilian population in recent weeks, including forced displacement, heavy bombardments, systematic demolition of residential buildings, and ongoing severe restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid, which have led to a situation of chronic famine in the region. Furthermore, this ground offensive endangers the lives of both hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians and the remaining hostages.

In this regard, the Brazilian Government takes note of the publication, on September 16, of the report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, of the Human Rights Council. The report concludes that, based on the definitions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Israeli Government has committed and continues to commit acts of genocide against the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, and has failed to take measures to prevent such crimes by the country’s authorities and security forces. Brazil upholds that all human rights violations in Gaza and throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory must be investigated and that those responsible must be held accountable.

In this context, Brazil reiterates its call for the immediate cessation of Israel’s attacks against the Strip and for the unimpeded access of humanitarian aid. Brazil also supports a permanent ceasefire, with the release of all hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.