BRICS declares Gaza 'inseparable' part of Palestinian state
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BRICS has declared the Gaza Strip an 'inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian Territory' and called for a unified Palestinian governance under the Palestinian Authority.
In a joint declaration, the bloc reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and an independent State of Palestine, reported Anadolu Agency on Monday. The statement also endorsed full Palestinian membership at the United Nations.
The member states expressed 'grave concern' over Israel's continued military operations in Gaza and the blocking of humanitarian assistance, strongly condemning the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
'We urge the parties to engage in good faith in further negotiations to achieve an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire,' the statement read.
BRICS also called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and all parts of the occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as the release of all hostages and detainees held in violation of international law.
BRICS, which originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded its diplomatic reach in recent years and increasingly positioned itself as a counterweight to Western influence on global security issues.
Palestinian death toll mounts
Overnight Israeli airstrikes killed nine Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including a child, medical sources told Al Jazeera.
Al-Shifa Hospital reported that six people, including a child, were killed and at least 15 others were wounded in a strike on a clinic in the Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City.
Separately, one person was killed and others were injured when an apartment building was bombed in the Tal al-Hawa area, also in Gaza City.
Read: Gaza ceasefire takes priority over Israel ties, says Saudi FM
In central Gaza, a medical source at Al-Aqsa Martyrs and al-Awda Hospitals confirmed that two people were killed and several others wounded in a strike on a residential home in the Bureij refugee camp.
Ceasefire talks
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday there is a strong possibility of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal being reached with Hamas this week, according to Reuters.
Speaking to reporters before leaving for Washington, Trump said such a deal could see the release of "quite a few hostages" held in Gaza.
The Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorised to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers.
Palestinian source
Trump is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, where the war in Gaza is likely to be high on the agenda.
His comments come as indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar concluded their first session without a breakthrough, two Palestinian sources told Reuters.
Read more: Netanyahu hopes Trump talks will boost Gaza hostage deal efforts
'The Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorised to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers,' said one source, referring to the talks held in Doha.
Netanyahu, speaking ahead of his departure to Washington, said Israeli negotiators had been given 'clear instructions' to pursue a ceasefire deal under terms already approved by Israel.
'Gaza killings funded by taxpayer money'
Meanwhile, US mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has accused the American government of using taxpayer money to fund the killing of children in Gaza, drawing sharp reactions online and in political circles.
In a post on X, Mamdani wrote: 'Sorry America, while you're struggling to pay for your health care, rent, and education, remember that your government couldn't help you because they have to give Israel billions of dollars in US citizen tax money to bomb and kill innocent children in Gaza'.
Sorry America, while you're struggling to pay for your health care, rent, and education, remember that your government couldn't help you because they have to give Israel billions of dollars in US citizen tax money to bomb and kill innocent children in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Nov9LgCOqG — Zohran Mamdani (@zohranmamdani) July 7, 2025
Israel's war on Gaza
The Israeli army has launched a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing at least 57,481 Palestinians, including 134,592 children. More than 111,588 people have been injured, and over 14,222 are missing and presumed dead.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. The proposed deal includes a pause in hostilities, increased humanitarian aid, and negotiations on the release of captives.
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