Iraq's PM says aggression on Gaza ripples anger across region

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
17 Oct 2023 12:58
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US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi discuss the recent developments in occupied Palestine.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani received a phone call from US President Joe Biden, on Monday, and discussed the latest field developments across occupied Palestine.

During the call, al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's firm and principled position regarding the situation in Gaza and stressed "the importance of opening humanitarian corridors and delivering what the people of the Gaza Strip need, who are subjected to war and an unjust siege."

Moreover, al-Sudani also told Biden that the ongoing aggression against Gaza would drive the anger of people in the region and the world.

In a statement, the Iraqi Prime Minister noted that the two leaders underscored the need to contain the escalation and work to prevent the expansion of the circle of war, which "targets civilians and threatens regional and international peace and stability."

This is genocide and ethnic cleansing.
This is what happening in #Gaza right now.#GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/1PAgIIRXKI
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 14, 2023

UNSC rejects Russian resolution for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

The UN Security Council voted to reject a Russia-proposed draft resolution to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The resolution on Monday received four votes in favor, five against, and six abstentions.

"We regret that the council once again has found itself a hostage to the ego, to the selfish intentions of the Western bloc of countries," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the vote.

Following other states' draft resolution proposals, the Russian mission to the United Nations included amendments to its resolution to condemn the indiscriminate Israeli strikes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and call for a humanitarian ceasefire amid the dire situation for the civilians there.

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council had a moral duty to act in a bid to end the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which he said was claiming 12 lives every hour.

"Don't send the signal that the Palestinian lives don't matter," Mansour said, adding, "Don't dare say Israel is not responsible for the bombs it is dropping over their heads."

The Palestinian envoy made it clear that "what is happening in Gaza is not a military operation. It is a full-scale assault against our people. It is massacres against innocent civilians."

The Israeli occupation has cut off supplies of water and power to the already-besieged Gaza Strip. The UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees warned that the Strip faces an "unprecedented human catastrophe" if water and other vital supplies are not restored.