Maldivian govt. express concern over Palestine-Israel conflict, calls to enforce UN resolutions

The Maldivian government expressing worry over the escalation of violence between Palestine and Israel on Saturday night - has called to enforce the UN Security Council resolutions that have passed which have declared null and void the occupation of Palestine. 

Saturday night's statement came after Gaza's ruling Hamas group launched unprecedented attacks on Israel, following which both sides have declared war. 

The statement issued by the Foreign Ministry read that the Maldivian government and people are and will always stand with the people and government of Palestine. It further stated that the government was calling for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions that have declared null and void the occupation of Palestine, and the annexation of the Holy City of Jerusalem. 

The government's view that lasting peace in the Middle East can only be achieved by establishing two states of Israel and Palestine along the pre-1967 borders and declaring East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, was reiterated in the statement as well. 

At least 232 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed and at least 1,700 wounded in Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said at least 250 people were killed and 1,500 wounded, making Saturday’s surprise early morning attack by Hamas the deadliest attack in Israel in decades.

Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, Israel has closed the area and severely restricted the entry and exit of people as well as the import of essential items such as food and medicine.