Morocco calls for ceasefire amid Israel, Palestine ‘war’
By Nairobi News ReporterMorocco has expressed its concern with the detororiation of the situation and the outbreak of military action at the Gaza strip.
In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to newsrooms on October 7, 2023, the North African country further condemned attacks against civilians.
“The Kingdom, which has repeatedly warned of the repercussions of the political deadlock on peace in the region, and of the risks of aggravated tensions resulting from it, calls for an immediate halt to all acts of violence and a return to calm, while avoiding all forms of escalation that could undermine the chances of peace in the region, added the same source,” the statement read in part.
“The Kingdom of Morocco, whose Sovereign, HM King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, chairs the Al Quds Committee, stresses that dialogue and negotiations remain the only way to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, based on the resolutions of international legality and the two-state principle, as agreed internationally, the statement concluded.”
The statement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country is “at war” after renewed violence broke out along Israel’s volatile border with Gaza.
Israel’s national rescue service says at least 40 people were killed in a wide-ranging Hamas assault into Israel.
The Palestinian Heath Ministry reports at least 198 people have been killed and more than 1,600 people wounded in Gaza.
The attacks came after weeks of heightened tensions along the border, and heavy fighting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The death toll is expected to rise.
World leaders have condemned the attacks on Israel and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned it was “a dangerous precipice”, and appealed “to all to pull back from the brink”.
Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem and residents across the region were ordered to remain indoors as militants fired rockets into Israel.
A senior Hamas military leader announced the start of the major new military operation on Hamas media, calling on Palestinians everywhere to fight.
“This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth,” said Mohammad Deif, claiming that 5,000 rockets had been launched.
Israel’s military said it was on a war footing as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an emergency meeting of security officials.
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