Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has used strong language to describe the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, referring to it as a “genocide.” His remarks are particularly focused on the increasing number of children who have tragically lost their lives in the ongoing hostilities.
Lula stated, “It’s not a war; it’s a genocide that has killed nearly 2,000 children who have nothing to do with this war; they are victims of this war.” While he did not explicitly mention either Israel or Hamas by name, his comments underscore the profound humanitarian concerns associated with the ongoing violence.
The conflict in question erupted following a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, leading to Israel’s declaration of a total siege on Gaza. The toll from the violence has been devastating, with over 7,000 Palestinians killed, including a significant number of children and women, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. This marks one of the highest recorded numbers of war-related fatalities in Gaza since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the region in 2005.
President Lula also revealed that he is engaged in discussions with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with the aim of securing a safe passage for approximately 30 Brazilian nationals who are currently stranded in the Gaza Strip, located just a few kilometers from the Egyptian border. The Brazilian government is actively advocating for the release of all hostages and the creation of a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
