Five-nation bloc wants immediate ceasefire and end to longstanding conflict between Israel, Palestinians.
Leaders of the BRICS group of nations have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an international conference aimed at resolving the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict.
Leaders of the five-nation bloc (comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) made the appeal at a Nov. 21 virtual summit, which was convened to discuss Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who chaired the summit, urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and the release of civilian hostages held by Palestinian faction Hamas.
Hamas, which has governed the embattled Gaza Strip since 2006, is viewed as a terrorist group by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Mr. Ramaphosa also urged the United Nations to dispatch rapid-deployment forces to Gaza “to monitor a cessation of hostilities and protect civilians.”
He also called on third countries to “exercise restraint” and “desist from fueling the conflict by halting the supply of weapons to the [warring]…
Read the full article here