Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against threats in the Middle East, reiterating Fiji’s supportive stance. In an interview with FijiLive, Rabuka expressed sorrow over the significant loss of life resulting from the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining peace in the region.
When asked about Fiji’s position amidst Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, which has a high concentration of civilians, Rabuka maintained that Israel has the right to self-defense. He acknowledged the tragic reality that the pursuit of peace often comes with a human cost.
Rabuka stated, “Throughout history, human lives have been lost in the pursuit of peace, stability, and order. There is always a price to pay.” He added that true peace is characterized by the absence of fear, stressing the importance of engaging in international relations with this goal in mind.
In a related discussion, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong, described the situation in the Middle East as divisive and distressing. She remarked that Australia aims to foster discussions that respect differing perspectives while working towards peace and stability in the region.
Wong stated, “As a middle power, we strive to contribute to peace and stability… Our goal is a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Force reported that it targeted Hamas command centers located near two schools in the Gaza Strip, specifically naming al-Zahraa School and the Abdel Fattah Hamoud School in east Gaza City. According to Palestine’s Wafa news agency, an Israeli airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians.