Maldives calls for rapid international action to secure vital supplies for Palestine

Maldives, at the United Nations (UN), addressing the escalating crisis in Palestine, has called on the global community for rapid international action to secure vital supplies as the unyielding Israeli blockade leaves Gaza on the brink.

The appeal was made in Maldives’ statement at the 19^th meeting of the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the 78^th session of the UN General Assembly.

The statement, underscoring the people of Palestine are continuously “pushed to an endless cycle of despair and destruction, with their very existence, identity and history under constant duress”, called for civilians and infrastructure to be protected.

Concern was also expressed over Israel’s military proclamation that over 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza should relocate to the south, which was stressed as a clear violation of several laws and conventions. Maldives called for the reversal of this order.

Describing attacks without differentiating between civilians and mercenaries as “collective punishment” – the statement called on the global community to “take all possible measures” to stop the ongoing attacks on civilians.

It also called on Israel to lift the blockade to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid, and on the global community for rapid international action to secure vital supplies for Palestine.

The statement also reaffirmed Maldives’ support for the Palestinian people, particularly towards the establishment of an independent and sovereign state based on the pre‑1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Gaza’s ruling Hamas initiated a surprise attack on Israel in the early morning of October 7^th – the deadliest attack on Israel in decades – following which Israel declared war against Palestine.

Death toll from relentless strikes on Gaza has surged to at least 2,800, with over 10,000 people sustaining injuries to various extent. Israel’s response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that endured a crippling siege since 2007.

On Monday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also called comprehensive international inquiry into the human rights abuses perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians.