BRICS Nations to Address Gaza Crisis in Virtual Summit Today
The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, will host a virtual meeting with leaders from BRICS nations to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The meeting will begin with an opening speech from President Ramaphosa, followed by speeches from invited states addressing the current humanitarian situation in Gaza.
A joint statement focusing on the Middle East, specifically Gaza, will be adopted during the meeting. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and China, along with invited leaders from Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, will participate in this Extraordinary Joint Meeting.
Israel declared war against Hamas following an attack on October 7, resulting in about 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, and approximately 240 people being taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
South Africa has consistently supported the Palestinian cause, with the government deciding to recall all diplomats from Israel as a symbolic gesture of concern over the Gaza situation. The ruling ANC party draws parallels between this support and South Africa's historical struggle against apartheid.
China, historically sympathetic to the Palestinians, advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also participate in the virtual meeting, emphasizing the international concern over the situation.
China has been urging an immediate ceasefire since the beginning of the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of exacerbating tensions in the Middle East and criticized Israel for its actions in the conflict.
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