The war in Gaza spilled over into global climate talks in Dubai on Thursday, with activists calling for a ceasefire while Israel’s president is expected to argue for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
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The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) opened on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates with a minute’s silence called by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for “all civilians killed in the conflict in Gaza.”
At the same time, a press conference organized by several activist groups to denounce the Israeli-imposed siege of Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by seven weeks of bombing, ended with chants of “Liberate Palestine.”
The war began on October 7, when commandos from the Islamist movement Hamas, infiltrated from the neighboring Gaza Strip, launched an attack on an unprecedented scale in Israel. According to authorities, about 1,200 people, the vast majority civilians, were killed and about 240 people were kidnapped.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to “destroy Hamas,” shelled Palestinian territory and launched a ground offensive on Oct. 27 that killed 14,854 people, including 6,150 under the age of 18, according to the Palestinian government. Hamas.
Since November 24, a ceasefire negotiated under the auspices of Qatar has enabled the release of 70 Israeli hostages and 210 Palestinian prisoners, as well as around thirty foreigners released outside the framework of this agreement.
While the ceasefire was extended at the last minute until Friday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will use his participation in COP28 to hold a “series of diplomatic meetings on the importance of releasing the hostages,” the Israeli presidency announced in a press release.
He “intends to engage leaders in a high-level humanitarian operation,” she added.
More than 140 heads of state and government will take part in the parade on Friday and Saturday, including Mr Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who are scheduled to speak within minutes of each other on Friday.
“Liberate Palestine”
Hundreds of activists also flocked to the Gulf emirate to make their voices heard, both on climate issues and human rights.
A coalition of 350 groups and movements from 75 countries organized a news conference on Friday to express solidarity with the Palestinians and call for a permanent ceasefire.
“As the world comes together today, we cannot ignore what is happening” in the Gaza Strip, where 2.4 million Palestinians are suffering without water, food and fuel, The Gate said. – Coalition spokesperson Lidy Nacpil.
On stage, a number of activists wore T-shirts with letters spelling out the word “ceasefire,” while others waved a banner depicting a slice of watermelon, one of the symbols of Palestinian resistance.
“Without human rights, there is no climate justice,” emphasized Rania Harrara of the MENA Feminist Taskforce, one of the voices who took to the microphone to denounce the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“Israel is sending delegations of ministers, experts and companies to this conference while it is besieging Gaza,” castigated Mesiah Bursica Hamed, a publicly celebrated defender of indigenous peoples’ rights, shouting: “Liberate Palestine.”
While some Palestinians decided to boycott the event this year, Tariq Luthun, who lives in the United States, insisted on being present in Dubai.
“I think it is important that our voices are heard here,” said the 32-year-old activist from Gaza.