BD demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza, full access to humanitarian assistance

Bangladesh has condemned Israeli efforts to deport people out of Gaza and demanded an immediate ceasefire and full and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

"Full implementation of the three Rs -Relief, Review and Recovery can only be possible with an end of genocidal attack on innocent civilians and infrastructures," said Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Principal Secretary, Prime Minister's Office in ILO Governing Body meeting on Wednesday.

In his statement, Tofazzel Hossain said Bangladesh would like to urge the international community to intensify pressure on the occupying power Israel and its apartheid Government, to stop this violent attack on civilians, to allow Palestinians to rebuild their economy with international support, and to allow Palestinian workforce to resume employment in Israel.

He said Bangladesh aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the majority of ASPAG countries and the statement of OIC.

Bangladesh expressed its profound concerns over 66% losses of jobs with an 85% reduction of employment in the Gaza Strip as well as a 40 % loss of employment in the West Bank.

"The illegal war against the civilian and non-combatant population of Palestine has caused the shrinking of the Palestinian economy by one-third in the fourth quarter of 2023. Labour market governance institutions, labour administration, social protection, and social dialogue got irreparably affected," said Tofazzel Hossain.

Bangladesh thanked the donors and partner countries who have contributed to the ILO's Development Cooperation Programme.

"My delegation also expresses its sincere appreciation to the Office for conducting a three-phase programme with priorities in Relief, Review and Recovery with an internal budget of 1.4 million initially," said Tofazzel Hossain.

"We would like to join our voices to enhance donor support for the successful implementation of the programme," he added.

He highlighted the overwhelming necessity of employment-intensive infrastructure building and arranging suitable jobs for the family members of the murdered Palestinians, and disabled persons.

"Bangladesh, like most other States, continues to recognize Palestine as a State in the fullest meaning of the term and identifies Israel as the illegal occupying power of Palestine," said Tofazzel Hossain.

Bangladesh expressed its grave concerns about the genocidal attacks on unarmed civilians, including women and children, of Palestine by the occupying Israeli Armed forces as well as the targeting of civilian infrastructures and indiscriminate use of force.

"We condemn Israel for its blatant violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws," Tofazzel Hossain said.