Brasilia - Brazil's President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, expressed his nation's commitment to preventing the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Brazil, currently holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, called for an emergency council meeting in response to the ongoing crisis. Lula underscored Brazil's dedication to resolving the issue and maintaining peace, as reported on Saturday.
Brazil's condemnation of Hamas's surprise attack on Israel, which resulted in casualties and Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza, was accompanied by a reiteration of its support for a "two-state solution" for Israelis and Palestinians within internationally recognized borders.
President Lula declared on the social media platform X, "Brazil will spare no efforts to prevent an escalation of the conflict, including during its tenure as President of the UN Security Council."
Diplomats anticipate the UN Security Council meeting to convene on Sunday to address the situation.
Hamas's coordinated operation, involving incursions into Israel and rocket attacks from Gaza, marked a significant assault on Israel in years. Israel attributed the aggression to militants backed by Iran, who targeted Israeli towns and military installations near Gaza.
Brazil's foreign ministry emphasized, "There is no justification for resorting to violence, especially against civilians, and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent an escalation of the situation." The ministry also emphasized the urgency of resuming peace negotiations, stating, "the mere management of the conflict is not a viable alternative for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue."
In response to the violence, the United Nations Security Council announced an emergency meeting scheduled for October 8 to address the Middle East situation, specifically the Palestinian question.
Hamas conducted a multi-pronged infiltration operation into Israel, employing air, sea, and land routes from the blockaded Gaza Strip earlier in the day. The group launched numerous rockets from Gaza and deployed fighters with hostile intentions, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a "state of war" and authorize a substantial mobilization of reserve troops. Israel initiated ground operations against Palestinian militants near Gaza in retaliation.
The intensifying conflict forced hundreds of Gaza residents to flee their homes, seeking safety away from the Israeli border. Reports indicated casualties on both sides, with at least 70 people killed in Israel and Gaza authorities reporting a death toll of 198, along with hundreds of injuries.
These developments occurred as the United States worked to broker a historic agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations.
The ongoing events represent the most significant escalation since the 10-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in 2021. This escalation follows months of heightened violence, particularly in the occupied West Bank, and tensions along Gaza's border. Israel and Hamas have a history of engaging in multiple wars, with the last major military exchange in May 2021 resulting in the deaths of 34 Palestinians and one Israeli.
Western nations condemned Hamas's attacks, while Hamas received support from Israel's adversaries, including Iran's supreme leader, who expressed pride in the group's actions.