(Dubai) The war in Gaza was brought to the global climate talks in Dubai on Thursday, where activists called for a ceasefire while the Israeli president is expected to plead for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The 28e UN climate conference (COP28) opened Thursday in the United Arab Emirates with a minute of silence called for by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for “all civilians killed in the conflict in Gaza “.
At the same time, a press conference organized by several groups of activists to denounce the siege imposed by Israel on the Palestinian territory, ravaged by seven weeks of bombing, ended with cries of “Liberate Palestine”.
The war began on October 7 when commandos from the Islamist movement Hamas infiltrated from the neighboring Gaza Strip launched an attack in Israel on an unprecedented scale. Around 1,200 people, the vast majority civilians, were killed and some 240 people were kidnapped, according to authorities.
In retaliation, Israel promised to “annihilate” Hamas, shelling Palestinian territory and launching a ground offensive on October 27, which left 14,854 dead, including 6,150 under the age of 18, according to the Hamas government. .
Since November 24, a truce negotiated under the aegis of Qatar has allowed the release of 70 Israeli hostages and 210 Palestinian prisoners, as well as around thirty foreigners released outside the framework of this agreement.
While the truce was extended at the last minute until Friday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will take advantage of his participation in COP28 to hold a “series of diplomatic meetings on the importance of the release of the hostages,” indicated the Israeli presidency in a press release.
He “intends to engage leaders in a high-level humanitarian effort,” she added.
More than 140 heads of state and government will parade on Friday and Saturday, including Mr. Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who are scheduled to speak within minutes of each other on Friday.
“Liberate Palestine”
Hundreds of activists have also flocked to the Gulf emirate to make their voices heard, both on climate issues and human rights.
A coalition of 350 groups and movements from 75 countries organized a press conference on Friday to express solidarity with the Palestinians and call for a permanent ceasefire.
“As the world comes together today, we cannot ignore what is happening” in the Gaza Strip, where 2.4 million Palestinians lack water, food, and fuel, the Gate said. – coalition spokesperson, Lidy Nacpil.
On the platform, a row of activists wore t-shirts with letters forming the word “ ceasefire » (cease fire in English), while others brandished a banner representing a slice of watermelon, one of the symbols of Palestinian resistance.
“There is no climate justice without human rights,” insisted Rania Harrara of MENA Feminist Taskforce, one of the voices who took to the microphone to denounce the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“Israel is sending delegations of ministers, professionals and businesses to this conference while it imposes a siege” on Gaza, castigated Mesiah Bursica Hamed, an indigenous rights defender, acclaimed by the public, with cries of “ Liberate Palestine.”
While some Palestinians chose to boycott the event this year, Tariq Luthun, who lives in the United States, insisted on being present in Dubai.
“I think it’s important that our voices are heard here,” said the 32-year-old activist from Gaza.