The government of Maldives has strongly condemned the heinous attack by Israeli armed forced that killed more than 100 seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in the strongest terms, the heinous attack by Israeli forces on innocent, unarmed Palestinian civilians who were waiting for humanitarian aid.

The government of Maldives stressed that the brutal assault is a grave violation of international law and human rights standards. 

The heinous attack took the lives of more than 100 innocent civilians and left hundreds more injured in its wake.

The Maldivian government has reiterated its call to bring an immediate ceasefire to ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with the international law.

Maldives has also called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Maldives and its people continue to stand in firm solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The island nation remains steadfast in its support for efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. 

On February 26, Maldives appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and presented oral submissions in the advisory proceedings entitled ‘Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem’.

At its 77th session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution entitled “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem” in which the UNGA decided to request the ICJ to render an Advisory Opinion pursuant to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court.

Allowing the UNGA to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ on any legal question, the decision was made in accordance with Article 96 of the Charter of the UN.

The government of Maldives in its efforts to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine, submitted a written statement to the ICJ proceedings on 25th July 2023.

The opportunity to take part in the public hearings of the proceedings and present oral submissions was given to states and international organizations that submitted written statements.

Ambassador of Maldives to Germany Aishath Shaan Shakir represented the government of the Maldives at the hearing on February 26, during which she said that support for the Palestinian people, including in their pursuit of an independent sovereign State of Palestine, has long been a cornerstone of the foreign policy of Maldives and remains so.

Further, the island nation reiterated that the only sustainable solution to the conflict is the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The island nation was also represented by international lawyers Amy Sander, Essex Court Chambers, member of the Bar of England and Wales, and Dr Naomi Hart, Essex Court Chambers, member of the Bar of England and Wales.

The statements by the international lawyers revolved around Israel’s multiple, serious violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, focusing on its practices in relation to water resources, and responding to the two questions which UNGA has requested that the ICJ answer.

In addition to this, Maldives joined several states across the globe in asserting that the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory amounts to apartheid.

Maldives has and always will stand in steadfast solidarity with the people of Palestine, in their pursuit for an independent sovereign State of Palestine.

Maldives continues to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire of the crimes of genocide being committed by Israel.