Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip is considered to be the same as the Nazi blockade in World War II
Russian President Vladimir Putin likened Israel's actions in forcibly blockading the Palestinian Gaza Strip to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad, the Soviet Union during World War II which killed more than 1,5 million people. Putin made this statement following Israel's order to blockade and vacate the Palestinian Gaza Strip following its war with Hamas which has become increasingly heated since October 7.
"Various scenarios are emerging, including the possibility of taking military and non-military action against the Gaza Strip comparable to the siege of Leningrad during World War II," Putin told journalists during a visit to Kyrgyzstan on Friday (13/10/2023), as reported by CNN Indonesia .
As quoted by AFP, Putin emphasized that this was unacceptable. The reason is, more than two million people live in Gaza.
Regarding the Gaza blockade, the Israeli military gave Palestinians an ultimatum to leave their homeland and move south within 24 hours. Responding to this call, Hamas officials asked Gaza residents to stay at home. This request was conveyed through an announcement at the mosque. Mosques in Gaza broadcast the message: “Defend your homes. Defend your land.”
Gaza analyst Talal Okal also described Israel's relocation order as an attempt to push the Palestinian people in Gaza into the Nakba. "Just as they did in 1948 when they expelled people from historic Palestine by dropping barrels of explosives on their heads, today Israel is repeating the same thing before the eyes of the world and live cameras," said Okal, as reported by Republika.
Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Eyad Al-Bozom urged Arab communities everywhere and especially in countries bordering Israel to support the people of Gaza. “We tell the people in northern Gaza and Gaza City, stay in your homes and places. "By carrying out massacres against civilians, the invaders want to once again expel us from our land," he said.
“The 1948 transfer will not happen. We will die and we will not leave,” Bozom said at a press conference held at Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
