The UAE underscored that the international community needs to work together to prevent the violence risking wider instability and spillover, including the involvement by other groups….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE has called for the protection of civilians and stressed that the immediate priority is to end the violence and protect the civilian population.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that attacks by Hamas against Israeli towns and villages near the Gaza strip, including the firing of thousands of rockets at population centers, are a serious and grave escalation.
The Ministry is appalled by reports that Israeli civilians have been abducted as hostages from their homes. Civilians on both sides must always have full protection under international humanitarian law and must never be a target of conflict.
The UAE expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and urges all diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional confrontation.
Furthermore, the Ministry deeply mourns the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives as a result of the outbreak of violence, and calls on both parties to de-escalate and avoid an expansion of the heinous violence with tragic consequences affecting civilian lives and facilities.
The UAE underscored that the international community needs to work together to prevent the violence risking wider instability and spillover, including the involvement by other groups.
The UAE reaffirmed that the international community must remain resolute in the face of these violent attempts to derail ongoing regional efforts aimed at dialogue, cooperation, and co-existence, and must not allow nihilistic destruction to overtake a region whose people have already suffered enough war and trauma.
The Ministry stressed that the UAE remains in close contact with all regional and international partners to swiftly de-escalate the situation and restore calm in Israel and the OPT and a return to negotiations for a final settlement within the parameters of the two state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, who deserve to live in peace and dignity.
MBZ Holds Series of Phone Calls
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has spoke with a number of leaders and heads of state to discuss the latest regional developments.
In separate phone calls, His Highness spoke to His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic; Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel; and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
During the discussions, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed emphasised the urgent need for de-escalation and called on all sides to exercise restraint in order to safeguard the lives of civilians. The UAE President reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, and encouraged the international community to support all efforts aimed at avoiding further conflict that jeopardises the security and stability of the region and its people.
The President also held telephonic conversation with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders have discussed the latest regional developments and stated their shared belief in the importance of dialogue and communication to bring about an end to conflict and protect the lives of civilians.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and Macron urged restraint on all sides and reiterated the importance of supporting all efforts to establish peace and stability across the region for the benefit of all nations and their people.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas, claiming that it had begun a terrible war and that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) would use all of its strength to undermine their capacity.
According to the Government Press Office, a body that operates under the Israeli PM’s office noted that over 100 people have been taken as hostages in Gaza.
Following the announcement by the Israeli PM, noting that the country is at war, Israeli jets carried out “intense” airstrikes on targets in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, according to the reports by Jerusalem Post Senior Military and Intelligence Analyst, Yonah Jeremy Bob, the IDF has undertaken 1149 airstrikes on Gaza as of Monday morning, marking a jump of around 800 since Sunday midday, reported The Jerusalem Post.
Additionally, there are still six ongoing fights with Hamas in Israeli villages on the Gaza corridor, his report added.
Moreover, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer told CNN in an interview that the death toll was “well north of 600 people,” adding, “There will probably be more hundreds, several hundred more.”
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