Government condemns Gaza violence

Government has expressed its regret at the “bloody violence” currently ongoing between Israel and Gaza and declared that it “unreservedly condemned any form of violence”, in a statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The death toll in a three-day Israeli offensive in Gaza has now climbed to at least 84, including a number of children, according to reports.

“Government firmly believes that violence is never the solution,” the statement read. “Rather, it only serves to create even more reprisal and retribution. This, in turn, leads to more hatred, more suffering and more barbaric acts.”

The ministry said that it understood and sympathized with the frustration and despair of people who were deprived of their homeland, whilst not being able to enjoy the fundamental freedoms that every citizen should be able to enjoy. “These are realities which cannot be overlooked and this, in part, explains why the issue between Israel and Palestine is such a difficult one to find a solution for.”

“However, the government believes that the recent violence which has occurred, both on individuals as well as on a broader scale, is only serving to encourage a bonfire of instability, suffering and fighting in the Middle East.”

Government said that it hoped common sense would prevail, and that peace will be sought by the countries involved. “International organisations must assume responsibility and act in a positive and practical manner to firstly bring an end to the violence and to help in designing measures and programmes in order to bring the two sides together and create a peaceful environment. Mutual respect must be sought, whilst respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.”