Lithuanian president criticizes Israel over situation in Gaza

VILNIUS – While hosting Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Vilnius on Monday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda criticized Israel over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, saying that starvation cannot be used as a weapon.

"The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains dire. I call on the Israeli government to take urgent steps to resolve the humanitarian crisis by ensuring adequate delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially for women and children," Nauseda said at a joint press conference.    

"Starvation cannot be used as a tool of political or military fighting," he added. 

Nauseda also called on Israel to ensure the respect of human rights in Gaza. He also condemned violence in the West Bank and the illegal expansion of settlements. 

"Lithuania supports the two-state solution in line with the principles of international law. However, this solution has to ensure lasting peace and stability in the Middle East rather than the opposite," he said.   

INVESTING 'ENORMOUS EFFORTS' IN AID

Responding to Nauseda's comments on the humanitarian crisis, Herzog stressed that the country is investing "enormous efforts" in humanitarian aid.

"As I have already said, 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip this week, hundreds of trucks are still waiting to enter, and the United Nations is contributing to this. We also encourage other countries to contribute to humanitarian aid and to join these efforts to ensure the humanitarian situation in Gaza," the Israeli president told the press conference in Vilnius.

"Hamas' unfounded and false accusations in this regard, while ignoring their own responsibility for the suffering of Gaza's residents, undermine the change we are seeking in reality," he added.

At the press conference, Herzog showed photos of two hostages, including one with Lithuanian roots, stressing their poor physical condition, emaciation and the resulting danger to their lives.

"We can't stand aside, we must free all the hostages, and that is the basis for everything.  The solution to the crisis in Gaza must be based on this. These are horrific crimes against humanity, and these photos show that the Israelis were not guilty, they are being tortured in those tunnels, and their rights are being violated," he said.

The two presidents also emphasized their countries' shared position on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, with Nauseda calling on Israel to support Ukrainians even more actively.

Herzog, for his part, said that "Ukraine's efforts to fight against Iranian weapons" demonstrate that Iran poses a threat to everyone who cherishes democracy, peace and freedom.

MET WITH PROTESTS

Herzog's visit to Lithuania comes as the international community is stepping up criticism of Israel's campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Protests against Lithuania's cooperation with Israel are planned in Vilnius throughout the day. 

More than 2 million Palestinians live in the devastated Gaza Strip. According to the World Health Organization, since Israel imposed a full blockade on March 2, malnutrition in the occupied Palestinian territories has reached "alarming levels."

Israel launched its military campaign in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people. The Palestinian militant group also took 251 hostages, some of whom remain in Gaza.

According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, more than 60,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign.