AKEL denounces Israel’s new operation in Gaza

 

21 August 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

AKEL expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the new Israeli military operation dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots 2”, which is currently underway in Gaza and accompanied by mass conscription, with the aim of completely occupying the area. This action represents a dangerous escalation of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and undermines any possibility of a peaceful solution, as demonstrated by the statements of the Finance Minister of the far-right Netanyahu government Bezalel Smotrich that “The Palestinian state is being erased from the table, not with slogans but with actions.”

At the same time, the UN is sounding the alarm, pointing out that the number of malnourished children in Gaza has tripled, while Israel continues to block vital humanitarian aid, despite all the international outcry. As Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), emphasizes: “This is not a natural disaster. It is man-made starvation that could have been prevented.”

Against this backdrop, the Cypriot government’s complicit silence is provoking immense rage, at the same time as a genocide is ongoing before our very eyes. The state of Israel is violating resolutions, agreements, and international law, and we, as a people who are ourselves victims of an invasion, occupation, and war crimes, cannot remain indifferent to the horrific crimes being committed against the Palestinian people.

AKEL will continue to stand unwaveringly by the side of the Palestinian people, joining its voice with the international solidarity movement, defending the right of all peoples to self-determination, freedom, democracy, and human rights, and demanding strict sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel.

21.08.2025