Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a powerful statement on October 25, denouncing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a "genocide." Speaking at the installation of the Federation Council at the Planalto presidential palace, he expressed deep concern for the civilian casualties, particularly the nearly 2,000 children who have lost their lives as a result of the conflict.

"It’s not a war, it’s a genocide that has killed nearly 2 thousand children who have nothing to do with this war, they are victims of this war. And frankly, I don’t know how a human being is capable of war knowing that the result of that war is the death of innocent children," President Lula stated.

The President's remarks came as he was scheduled to have a crucial discussion with Qatar's Emir Tamin bin al Thani, aimed at finding a resolution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The focus of their conversation included efforts to secure the release of approximately 30 Brazilian nationals who are currently stranded in the Gaza Strip, just a few kilometers from the Egyptian border, and who are eager to return to Brazil.

Lula underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the priority is not to determine who is right or wrong in the conflict but to ensure the safe release of hostages and the creation of a humanitarian corridor. This corridor would enable the delivery of much-needed aid to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. (ILKHA)