Bangladesh condemns civilian casualties in Gaza

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh on Sunday condemned civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and called on the global community to establish peace in the besieged enclave.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement said Foreign Minister Abdul Momen met Palestinian Ambassador in Dhaka Yousef Ramadan, and "strongly" condemned the "growing civilian casualties including women and children as well as disproportionate use of force in Gaza."

It urged the international community to allow humanitarian assistance to the "seized Gaza to avoid mounting humanitarian disaster and work towards a two- state solution to the Israel- Palestinian conflict based on the UNSC resolutions for a just and lasting solution and enduring peace in the region."

Dozens of Bangladeshi political parties, students and rights organizations have held protests against continued Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.

Last weekend, Israeli forces launched a sustained military push against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel – a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip.

At least 2,329 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids, while the number of Israelis killed in Hamas’s military operation stands at 1,300.