In a strongly worded statement, Brazil's President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, accused Israel of engaging in actions in the Gaza Strip that he deemed "as grave" as the October 7 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Speaking at a ceremony in Brasilia to welcome Brazilians and their families evacuated from Gaza, President Lula asserted that Israel was "killing innocent people without any criteria."
Lula pointedly linked Israel's response to the earlier act of terrorism by Hamas, emphasizing the severity of both sides' actions. He criticized Israel for what he described as indiscriminate attacks, stating, "They are dropping bombs where there are children, hospitals, on the pretext that a terrorist is there. They are not killing soldiers, they are killing children."
Expressing deep concern for the civilian casualties, especially women and children, Lula stated that the level of violence witnessed was "brutal and inhuman." He called for a prioritization of the safety of innocent civilians, urging a shift in approach.
The Brazilian leader's comments underscore a growing international concern over the escalating violence in the region. Lula's stark condemnation of Israel's actions adds a significant voice to the global discourse surrounding the conflict, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further loss of civilian lives.