Lula argues that no innocent person can suffer because of those who want war

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met, this Thursday (26), via videoconference, with the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, which brings together relatives of people who have found themselves in one of these situations since the conflict between Hamas began and Israel, on the 7th. “No innocent person, of any nationality, can suffer because of those who want war,” said Lula, via social media, after the meeting.

The president also declared: “I spoke today with Brazilians who have Israeli family members hostage to Hamas and with a Palestinian-Brazilian family imprisoned in Gaza. I am in dialogue with presidents of several countries for the release of the hostages and for Brazilians in Gaza to return to Brazil.” Family members of a missing Brazilian also participated in the conversation.

The videoconference took place at the request of the Family Forum, through a letter addressed to Lula. Family members told stories of capture and loss of contact with their relatives.

Read too: Lula criticizes Israel and says that terrorism does not justify the death of innocent people

Several of them are young people kidnapped by Hamas during a music festival. Some suffer from chronic illnesses and are without their regular medication. In most cases, there is not even evidence that they are alive. The forum asked the president to continue supporting the group’s demand for the release of hostages.

Lula stated that he was personally committed to building peace, freeing hostages and opening a humanitarian corridor. He assured that he has treated the issue as a priority in the conversations he has been holding with international leaders about the crisis.

The president has already been in contact with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, France, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Qatar and the European Council.

Read too: Arab world disillusioned by hypocrisy of powers and support for Israel

This Wednesday (25), Lula spoke, by telephone, with the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. As reported by Planalto, both agreed on the importance of opening a humanitarian corridor and releasing all hostages and highlighted the need for a ceasefire and the dangers of an escalation in the conflict, which needs to be avoided.

With agencies

(PL)