Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji is deeply troubled by the distressing reports of civilians, including the elderly and young, who have been subjected to attacks and abductions from their homes and has called for the immediate release of all abducted persons during the recent attack by Hamas on Israeli towns and settlements near the Gaza Strip and central Israel.
While issuing a strong statement condemning the attack, Rabuka says the Government of Fiji categorically abhors the barbarity of these atrocities.
Rabuka expressed profound concern regarding the indiscriminate firing of thousands of rockets toward Israeli population centres, as well as the use of other munitions with the sole intention of causing harm and loss of life, regardless of age, gender or status.
He adds the attack has, regrettably, resulted in the loss of over 1,200 Israeli civilian lives, with many more injured.
The Prime Minister says he wants to make clear our condemnation of the terrorist attack by Hamas, which targeted innocent non-combatants and resulted in the continuing loss of life.
He says we also stand with Israel and Israel has the right to defend itself and her people.
Rabuka says Fiji stands firmly with the State of Israel and affirms its unequivocal right to defend itself against such indiscriminate attacks, as permitted by international law.
He further says at the recent United Nations General Assembly, Fiji, in alignment with other nations, called for global peace and the establishment of zones of peace in our respective regions.
He adds central to this pursuit of peace is our unwavering commitment to opposing aggressions that violate the principles of human decency, territorial integrity, and the deliberate targeting of innocent civilian lives, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Prime Minister says the people of Fiji send their thoughts and prayers to Israel as it navigates through these difficult days, working diligently to safeguard its people and secure peace for the region.
