BRICS leaders call for 'unconditional' ceasefire in Gaza
07 Jul 2025 12:00pm
BRICS leaders pose for a family photo during the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. - Photo by PABLO PORCIUNCULA / AFP)
RIO DE JANEIRO - Leaders of the BRICS countries, during the 17th summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, called for an unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to end the 22-month-old war there, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
In a joint statement issued by the leaders and governments of the BRICS countries on the first day of the summit, the group expressed its "grave concern" for the Palestinian people due to the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The group stated, "We urge all parties to engage in good faith in further negotiations to achieve an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip."
The group affirmed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian territories, stressing the importance of unifying the West Bank and Gaza Strip under the administration of the Palestinian Authority.
In the joint statement, the leaders condemned the military attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, which are under full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, considering them a "violation of international law." Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2-R) speaks during the first plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. - (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP)
The declaration stated, "We condemn the military strikes against Iran that began on June 13, 2025, which constitute a violation of international law."
In the declaration of the Brazil summit, BRICS leaders expressed their hope that current efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine would lead to a peaceful agreement.
They noted their appreciation for current proposals for mediation in the Ukrainian issue.
BRICS comprises the 11 major emerging countries, representing approximately half of the world's population and 40 per cent of global economic output. - BERNAMA
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