The final statement by G20 leaders advocates a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but completely ignores the existence of hostages still held by the extremist group Hamas.
The war in Gaza, specifically, is the subject of a single paragraph of the final declaration. Other excerpts talk about conflicts in general, reiterating “national positions” and resolutions adopted within the United Nations.
This was the first time that the G20 leaders’ meeting addressed the issue. The previous statement, released at the end of the New Delhi (India) summit in September, came out a month before the attacks in Israel that started the war.
There is only a short paragraph in which the leaders say they condemn terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations”, without reference to the hostages held by Hamas.
The section on the Middle East begins by expressing “deep concern” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon. It emphasizes the “urgent need” to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and the “protection of civilians”.
“We highlight human suffering and the negative impacts of war. Affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution in which Israel and the Palestinian State live side by side in peace, within recognized and secure borders, [de forma] consistent with international legislation and adopted UN resolutions”, state the G20 leaders.
They add: “We are united in support of a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, in line with UN Security Council Resolution No. 2735, and in Lebanon, which allows citizens to safely return to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line [demarcação das fronteiras com Israel]”.
There is no mention of the presence of Israelis or citizens of other countries kidnapped by Hamas. The extremist group still holds around 100 people captive, according to the Israeli government, without it being known whether they are dead or alive.
They were captured on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorist attacks left almost 1,200 people dead.
Read the full statement:
This content was originally published in G20 calls for ceasefire in Gaza, but ignores hostages held by Hamas on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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