Maldives decries deadly Israeli strikes on Nuseirat refugee camp

The Maldivian government has issued a statement condemning deadly Israeli airstrikes on a residential block in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza last week.

At least 36 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the bombings on Thursday.

In a statement on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry issued a statemen condemning the massacre of innocent civilians.

“The Maldives reaffirms its position that such repeated and flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, targeting of civilians continues to escalate the indescribable dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, and must be stopped with urgent, effective interventions from the international community,” said the Foreign Ministry in its statement.

The Maldives also reiterated its call on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to end Israel’s aggressive attacks, de-escalate the cycle of violence and protect innocent civilians, and ensure that lasting peace is achieved in the region.

“The Maldives continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their relentless pursuit of justice and statehood,” added the Foreign Ministry.

The strikes on Nuseirat hit a postal office sheltering displaced Palestinian families, as well as nearby houses.

Most of those killed hailed from the al-Sheikh Ali family.

In Gaza, it is not uncommon for aerial attacks to kill numerous members of the same family, as Israel’s war continues into a second year.

According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, Israeli strikes had completely wiped out at least 902 entire families in the Strip as of October 2024, the one-year anniversary of the war.

Health facilities, journalists, and humanitarian workers have also reported being persistently targeted by Israeli forces since the fighting began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,100 people.

In the time since, Israeli attacks have killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children.