Israel has the right to defend itself by acting militarily while respecting the civilian populations of Gaza, Prime Minister António Costa said In Alvor, Portimão on Sunday.
“Israel has every right to defend itself by acting militarily against Hamas, but respecting the civilian populations of Palestine,” Costa said as part of the PS Presta Contas initiative dedicated to presenting the proposed State Budget for 2024.
“The women, men and children living in the Gaza Strip” must have “their humanitarian rights guaranteed”, he added.
On Friday, Israel ordered the withdrawal of “all civilians”, or more than a million people, from the southern city of Gaza within 24 hours, ahead of a ground offensive against the Islamist movement Hamas, in retaliation for the deadliest attack in Israel’s history precisely a week ago.
The attacks have caused thousands of deaths and injuries in both territories.
Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, had refused the withdrawal demanded by Israel, which ordered them to move south.
(Cristina Cardoso | Lusa.pt)
Read more with EURACTIV
Norwegian FM removed from office amid stock market scandal
Source: euractiv.com
