Foreign ministry's state secretary calls on Palestinian Authority to clearly condemn Hamas terrorist group

RIGA - The Foreign Ministry's State Secretary Andris Pelss calls on the Palestinian Authority to clearly condemn the Hamas terrorist group, as the Foreign Ministry informed LETA.

Pelss today met with the Head of the Mission of Palestine to Finland and the Baltic Countries, Ambassador Taissir Al Adjouri, for a discussion on current developments in the Middle East.

Particular attention was paid to the ongoing escalation of the security and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the wider region, as well as to the need for the international community to play an active role in stopping violence and providing access for humanitarian relief to civilians.

Pelss expressed Latvia's strong support for compliance with international law, including humanitarian law, the prevention of civilian casualties, and a safe delivery of humanitarian aid. In that context, he informed the ambassador about the decision of the Latvian government to provide support to Palestinian civilians through making an additional contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the World Food Program. Pelss also reiterated Latvia's position on the two-state solution to be reached through negotiations.

As reported, on October 7, the Hamas terrorist group October launched a major attack on Israel, killing around 1,400 people, wounding thousands of others and taking more than 240 people hostage. Since October 7, Israeli forces have been constantly attacking Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip from air, ground and the sea, inflicting a heavy toll on Palestinian civilians who live in Gaza.