Brazil Condemns ‘Paralysis’ on Gaza, Ukraine at G20 Meeting
The recent conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Israel and Gaza, have shed light on a longstanding issue within the UN Security Council: the difficulty of passing resolutions when faced with resistance from one of the council’s permanent members. Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, criticized the “paralysis” within the Security Council during the opening of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro. He argued that multilateral institutions are ill-equipped to handle the current challenges, as demonstrated by the council’s inability to take action on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Vieira emphasized that this deadlock is costing innocent lives.
G20 Ministers Meet in Brazil to Discuss Gaza and UN
The G20 foreign ministers have gathered in Rio de Janeiro for their first high-level meeting since Brazil assumed the annual presidency of the bloc. The main topics of discussion include Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva has criticized the United Nations for its failure to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Lula has called for UN reform, specifically advocating for the expansion of the Security Council. His recent accusations of Israeli atrocities in Gaza, which he labeled as genocide, caused a diplomatic crisis with Israel and led to Brazil recalling its ambassador. The meeting will also address other pressing issues, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine.
UK and Jordan Transfer Aid to Northern Gaza Hospital
In response to the dire situation in Gaza, the UK and Jordan have delivered aid to the Tal Al-Hawa hospital in northern Gaza City. The consignment, funded by the UK and transferred by the Jordanian Air Force, includes vital supplies such as medicines, fuel, and food, weighing a total of 4 metric tons. The hospital has been providing essential medical care to thousands of patients since the start of the war. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed the urgency of the situation, stating that more aid is needed promptly to address the desperate conditions in Gaza.
‘Frank Exchange’ Between Blinken and Lula After Brazilian Leader’s Holocaust Comments
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva to address the recent controversial remarks made by Lula about the conflict in Gaza. During a meeting at the presidential palace in Brasilia, Blinken expressed his disagreement with Lula’s statements. Lula had accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza and compared their military campaign to Adolf Hitler’s mass extermination of Jews during World War II. These comments led to Israel declaring Lula ‘persona non grata’ and strained diplomatic relations between Brazil and Israel. However, the Brazilian president’s office offered a different summary of the meeting, stating that Lula reaffirmed his desire for peace and an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, while emphasizing the need for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Doctors Without Borders Reports Attack on Staff Shelter in Gaza
Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that a shelter housing their staff in the Gaza Strip was hit in an Israeli operation, resulting in two deaths. The strike occurred in an area where Palestinians were instructed to seek shelter. MSF expressed horror at the incident and stated that they are still gathering details. The war in Gaza began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, leading to approximately 1,200 casualties and the taking of hostages. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s response.
China Criticizes US Veto on Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
China has warned that the US veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza has heightened the danger in the Palestinian territory. The resolution, drafted by Algeria, demanded a humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages kidnapped during the Hamas attacks on Israel. The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, defended the veto, claiming that it was necessary to protect negotiations for the release of hostages. China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, among others, criticized the US veto, while France and Slovenia expressed regret. China emphasized the urgent need for the Security Council to take action to halt hostilities in Gaza, citing the severe humanitarian situation and its impact on regional peace and stability.
Syria Reports Israeli Rocket Strike in Damascus
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that two people were killed in an Israeli rocket strike on a residential building in Damascus. The attack targeted the Kafr Sousa area of the capital city. Residents reported explosions and fires in apartments adjacent to a school, with damage extending to other buildings and cars in the vicinity. Kafr Sousa is known to be frequented by Iran-allied militia members. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a death toll of three, including one civilian and two non-Syrians. This district had previously been hit by an Israeli airstrike a
