Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) called for an end to violence in the Middle East on the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack. “365 days later, the suffering of people and the spiral of violence must finally come to an end,” Schallenberg said in a broadcast on Sunday. “Reasonable” forces must be strengthened.
“We cannot afford to have a firestorm sweep through the region and beyond. Everyone would lose.” It was “high time for a ceasefire.”
The ceasefire is “critical to ensure that the remaining hostages are released and that more aid can be brought to Gaza to improve the devastating humanitarian situation,” Schallenberg said. He recalled that among the hostages is Israeli-Austrian dual nationality Tal Shoham. “His release is our top priority,” Schallenberg said, speaking of intensive efforts at all levels.
“Sensible people” need to be strengthened
Schallenberg spoke out in favor of amplifying the sensible voices in the region who are committed to a peaceful solution. “This is the only way Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. This is the only way to protect future generations from the trauma and suffering we are currently experiencing.”
Fighters from the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, sometimes brutally, and kidnapping about 200 others to the Gaza Strip.
The October massacre brought a conflagration
Israel then started a war to overthrow Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip. According to authorities there, more than 40,000 people have been killed as a result of massive bombings and fighting in the densely populated coastal strip. The majority of these victims were also civilians.
Because Hamas has ties to the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Iran, the conflict also has regional dimensions. Just last week, Iran attacked Israel for a second time with dozens of rockets to avenge the killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, the latter of whom was killed in Tehran. Israel also launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon last week.
Source: Krone
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