Alex youth forum to picket in support of Israel amid Hamas war

The picket is one of several the organisation will hold at the embassies of the various countries involved in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The campaign aims to demonstrate support for the Israeli people. 

Thousands of people have been killed in the two weeks since Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack inside the Israeli territory.

Israeli strikes on Gaza overnight and early Monday have killed at least 70 people, Hamas officials said, as the military said it had struck some 320 targets in the Palestinian enclave in 24 hours.

READ: Israel urges citizens to immediately leave Egypt, Jordan

The forum's spokesperson Patrick Baloyi says the campaign has three main objectives. 

"Our top priority is to focus on the release of hostages, including innocent children who were captured in Israel and are currently held by Hamas. The safety and freedom of these young lives are at great risk, and it is our moral duty to champion their cause.

"The second objective is to advocate for a ceasefire. We firmly believe that an immediate ceasefire is vital to halt the ongoing violence and prevent further loss of life on both sides. Ceasefire serves as an initial step in ending hostility and creating an environment conducive to a peaceful solution.”

Baloyi said the forum will not be drawn into a political and religious debate.

"We feel it is of paramount importance that we condemn Hamas and their actions, as they endangered the lives of thousands when they initiated a barbaric, unjustified attack on Israel civilians.

Baloyi said they are disappointed at what they believe to be the government’s partisan stance on the conflict.

"We expected the government to be consistent with the stunts they took between Russia and Ukraine, the stunt of mutuality to mediate peace. You cannot take sides in a situation like this, it’s going to be difficult to mediate peace.”

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