Maldives’ leader condemns Israel as it expands deadly assault on Gaza

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu condemned Israel on Sunday, as it intensified its deadly assault on Palestine’s besieged Gaza strip.

In a post on X on Sunday evening, President Muizzu said that he “strongly and unequivocally condemn the continued targeting of innocent civilians by Israel in Gaza, as the genocidal assault by Israel intensifies.”

The condemnation comes as Israel expanded Operation Gideon Chariots last week, unleashing intensive strikes across Gaza, killing hundreds of people.

“The Maldives calls on the international community to take decisive and immediate action to halt the escalation of violence and the immediate cessation of hostilities,” said President Muizzu.

He also reiterated Maldives call to take effective measures for the protection of civilian lives in accordance with the international legal and moral obligations, and ensure that Israel is held accountable for its actions.

Strongly and unequivocally condemn the continued targeting of innocent civilians by Israel in Gaza, as the genocidal assault by Israel intensifies.

The Maldives calls on the international community to take decisive and immediate action to halt the escalation of violence and…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) May 18, 2025

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement on Sunday condemning Israel’s continued genocidal aggression against innocent civilians in Gaza.

“The Maldives calls on the international community to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable to the numerous violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” said the Foreign Ministry in its statement.

The Maldives also reiterated its unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Government of the Republic of Maldives strongly condemns the continued genocidal aggression carried out by Israeli forces against innocent civilians in Gaza, as Israel intensifies its attack. The Maldives calls on the international community to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable to the numerous violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The Maldives reiterates its unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its Capital.

On Sunday, Munir al-Bursh, the director-general of Gaza's Health Ministry, reported that at least 153 Palestinians were killed in intensified Israeli air strikes in Gaza in the last 24 hours.

The rising death toll came as Israeli drones shelled the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia in northern Gaza. Separately, Israeli drones struck 10 houses around the Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, causing material damage to the hospital’s critical facilities.

The Gaza Civil Defense, meanwhile, warned that its vehicles will stop within 72 hours due to the lack of fuel.

The Israeli army intensified air assaults on Gaza in the last five days, coinciding with United States President Donald Trump’s Gulf tour that included Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

At least 378 Palestinians were killed and scores injured in the onslaught, according to the Health Ministry.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November 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.

Humanitarian officials have warned that the crisis in Gaza has reached one of its darkest periods, as famine also looms.