Controversy over a statement from the Foreign Ministry expressing its “concern” for the situation in Gaza

On the day Israel and Islamic Jihad agreed on a truce after three days of clashes in the Gaza Strip, after three days of armed clashes, the government expressed its “deep concern” about the “escalation of violence” in that Middle East region.

He did so through an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, in which he expressed “his he felt pain for the casualties that the Israeli military action generatedin particular, Palestinian civilians and children ”.

The official text, dated this Sunday, also noted that our country “in turn condemns the firing of rockets at Israel“, As well as” ratifying the importance of all parties respecting the principles of international humanitarian law “.

“Respect for peace and human rights are fundamental principles of Argentine foreign policy”, he clarified.

In addition, it was indicated that “it is imperative that the parties take responsibility for the need not to contribute to the worsening of the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza and that the requests for a ceasefire be heard and maintained”.

“The Argentine Republic defends the achievement of a peaceful solution of coexistence of the two states between Israel and Palestinealways condemning the use of violence and favoring negotiations between the parties, with a view to reaching a fair, comprehensive and definitive agreement based on international law ”, he concluded.

Questions about the official position

In any case, this official expression received a series of questions for, among other things, “equating Israel with Jihad and denying terrorism“.

It was the first paragraph that, for example, did not convince Claudio Avruj, secretary for human rights during Mauricio Macri’s administration and already a candidate for the presidency of the DAIA on three occasions.

In a tweet, Avruj stressed that “the government’s trip to Israel was useless” and felt that “ideology blinds all possibility to reality”.

“Once again the Argentine Foreign Ministry identifies Israel with Jihad, denies terrorism and echoes the disinformation campaign. This also needs to change, ”the former official questioned.

He did so by citing another publication that showed his rejection of the Foreign Ministry statement. In that message, the official text was described as “shameful” and ensured that “it is false” that Israeli military action caused the deaths of civilians and children.

“It was proven that these were the failed terrorist missiles,” he added. You also stress that the statement “does not mention Islamic Jihad”.

The truce offered by Egypt

After Israel accepted a proposal for a truce offered by Egypt To resolve the current escalation of attacks in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Islamic Jihad ratified this Sunday that an agreement has been reached, which also mentions the release of two prisoners. The pact went into effect at 5:30 pm this Sunday, Argentina time.

The pact was confirmed by the Israeli government and provides for an end to the attacks, which according to the latest data released by international agencies have caused about 41 Palestinians – including 15 children – dead and 311 injured since Friday.

“The head of the National Directorate of Public Diplomacy can confirm that a ceasefire will take effect tonight at 11.30pm (5.30pm Argentina time),” reads a statement from the Israeli government.

The statement thanked Egypt for “its mediation efforts” and added: “In case of violation of the ceasefire, the State of Israel reserves the right to respond firmly. We will not allow any disturbance to the lives of the citizens of the State of Israel. “

The official Israeli text came shortly after the announcement of the cessation of hostilities by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and confirmed by Egyptian sources.

“An Egyptian truce agreement has been concluded, which includes Egypt’s commitment to act in favor of the release of two prisoners, (Basem) Al Saadi and (Khalil) Awawdeh,” said Mohamed Al Hindi, chief of the political arm of Islamic Jihad.

The truce comes in the middle of a resumption of the historical conflict, where the clashes that started on Friday are the worst between Israel and Gaza’s armed organizations since the 11-day war in May 2021.

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