Venezuelan president accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Israel of "genocide" in Palestine after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply distressed" by Israel’s announcement of a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip.

“We advocate for a fair peace in Palestine,” Maduro said Monday in a televised statement. “I call on all the peoples of the world to unite in demanding compliance with UN decisions, a cease-fire and the establishment of a dialogue to restore the historical rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.

Guterres condemned the attacks launched by Hamas and acknowledged "Israel's legitimate security concerns," but urged Israeli authorities to respect "international humanitarian law."

Maduro said the Palestinian people have been “subjected” to a “new apartheid" for 75 years.

"No electricity, no water, no fuel. Total blockade, invasion of Gaza. There, in a small space, live millions of human beings who, for decades, have been bombed, tortured, attacked, persecuted and martyred, " said Maduro. "I stand with the Palestinian people, and I stand for peace."

Maduro demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the international community to uphold UN resolutions.

His comments come in the wake of Israel's recent decision to impose a blockade on Gaza following attacks by Hamas early Saturday.

The situation has since escalated as Israel retaliated with massive airstrikes in Gaza and placed the enclave under a total blockade.

More than 1,900 people have been killed in the violence, including at least 900 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, according to authorities.

Israel also cut water and electricity supplies to Gaza, worsening the blockaded enclave’s already dire humanitarian situation.

The Gaza Strip, home to nearly 2.2 million residents, has already been reeling under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007.​​​​​​​