Guyana on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict while at the same time urged respect for the 1967 borders of Palestine.

Following is the full text of the statement issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Government of Guyana has followed the  tragic unfolding of events in Gaza and expresses grave concern over the continuing Israeli military air strikes, which are resulting in injury and the loss of life of a growing number of Palestinian civilians, including  women and children, , as well as widespread destruction of infrastructure.

Reports indicate that approximately one hundred Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military escalation in the occupied territory. We call on Israel to immediate end its offensive and meet its obligation under international law to protect the civilian population under occupation.

Guyana also expresses its concern at the continued firing of rockets into Israeli territory by Palestinian militants which have so far resulted in the death of three Israeli civilians and calls or this action to cease.

We deplore the loss of life and condemn in the strongest terms acts of violence and the killing of innocent civilians. Guyana calls for an immediate ceasefire and for urgent steps to ease the plight of the affected populations.  

The Government of Guyana supports the efforts of the Secretary General to bring a cessation of the current violence and calls upon the Security Council to act in a decisive manner to forestall a further escalation of the present situation.

In reiterating the necessity for durable peace and stability in the region, Guyana calls on the international community to intensify efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  

As the first CARICOM country to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state based on its 1967 borders, Guyana will continue to demonstrate support for the people of Palestine in their efforts towards the full realization of their inalienable rights at all levels and will continue to work with the international community in all efforts towards a peaceful solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. (Guyana Chronicle)