“The high number of deaths (more than 12,000 people, including 5,000 children) causes us great consternation,” Lula said at the extraordinary virtual Brics Summit, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

He pointed out that as a result of the Israel-Palestine conflict, “there are still 29,000 wounded and 3,750 missing people, many of whom are children.”

As stated by United Nations Secretary General António Guterrez, the Gaza Strip “is becoming a cemetery for children,” the former labor leader indicated.

Moreover, at least 1.6 million people, about 70 percent of Gaza’s population, had to flee their homes with no prospect of return.

“We are also perplexed that more than 100 UN staff members have been killed,” he lamented.

In his address, Lula thanked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for convening this extraordinary meeting to address the emergency situation in Gaza.

He took the opportunity to welcome the presence of the representatives of the countries invited to join the Brics, such as Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Lula recalled that Brazil strongly condemned the attacks by the military wing of the Hamas movement on October 7 and that three Brazilians were victims of these episodes.

The president pointed out that when presiding over the United Nations Security Council in October, “Brazil spared no effort in favor of dealing with the humanitarian emergency, containing the current escalation and resuming a lasting solution to the conflict.”

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