PM condemns humanitarian situation in Gaza

The Prime Minister has condemned the “absolutely intolerable” humanitarian situation in Gaza and has called for an end to “any obstacles” to the entry of aid into the region to “save the lives of millions of human beings”.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is absolutely intolerable. It is imperative to allow the immediate, safe and unhindered entry of all humanitarian aid, to save the lives of millions of human beings, including children, women and the sick,” wrote Luís Montenegro, in a post on X.

This position was taken on the same day that at least one Portuguese diplomat and another Brazilian, in a delegation of ambassadors, were allegedly targeted by gunfire from the Israeli army in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is absolutely intolerable. It is imperative to allow the immediate, safe, and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, that will save the lives of millions of human beings, including children, women and the sick.
— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) May 21, 2025

Stressing that no one was injured, WAFA (Palestinian news agency), citing the Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Ministry, shared images of the attacks, which were intended to "intimidate", in which at least two uniformed Israelis are seen shooting at a group of people who were giving interviews.

Lusa contacted the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm what happened, but has not received a response so far.

The Palestinian agency said that in addition to the Portuguese and Brazilian diplomats, the delegation included representatives from the European Union (EU), Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, the United Kingdom, Romania, Russia, Turkey, China, Canada, Mexico, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco, as well as an undetermined number of diplomats from other countries.

Israel should be given the same treatment as Russia: confined to Israel, boycotts and no trade till they stop acting like genocidal savages.

By Mark from Lisbon on 21 May 2025, 21:40

If only Hamas would stop acting like a death cult who uses Palestinian children as human shields, and agree to lay down their arms, perhaps this awful war would finally end. Alas, they continue to choose death and violence over peace.

By Woody from Algarve on 22 May 2025, 11:21

Without any action against those who cause this humanitarian crisis, these are just empty words.

By Mark from Porto on 22 May 2025, 14:02

How about asking Hamas to release all of the hostages? And how about having Hamas renounce their stated goal of eradicating all Jews, and destroying the state of Israel? The violence and genocide have been perpetrated by Hamas. If they wanted peace, they would have it. But the cowardly hide behind children and in civilian areas and hospitals. The worst enemy of the Palestinian people are Hamas ideologues

By Dan from USA on 22 May 2025, 15:19

I must start by pointing out that right wing fascism has existed for years in Israel within its Likud party, and led by Netanyahu, NOT by all jewish people there or in the rest of the world. Criticizing Israel is NOT antisemitic.

Those of us in the US that voiced our criticism against our governments war in Vietnam in the 1960’s were called anti-patriotic or un-American. Those of us who now voice opposition of US funding for Israel’s slaughter in Gaza are called antisemitic.

You get the picture?

By JoeT from Algarve on 22 May 2025, 16:33

Yet no call for releasing the hostages.

By J from Algarve on 22 May 2025, 21:13

J, and others who speak of the hostages held by Hamas. I don’t know anyone in the pro Palestinian movement that weren’t appalled by the taking of innocent people on October 7th. But perhaps some of you don’t realize that was not the “beginning” of actions. Innocent Palestinian’s have been rounded up and jailed by the right wing government of Israel. Thousands of non-combatant people have been imprisoned, tortured and sexually abused over decades. Yet the western media and especially Netanyahu, et al, do not want to call them hostages. Yes, of course, free hostages taken by Hamas, bu also free ALL hostages, including those held by Israel.

By JoeT from Algarve on 23 Sep 2025, 12:51