Maldives condemns Israeli minister's Gaza nuclear comment
The Maldivian foreign ministry said the Israeli minister's remarks were extremely concerning.
Maldives on Monday strongly condemned the recent statement made by an Israeli government minister that the use of a nuclear bomb on the besieged Gaza strip is an option.
In a statement, the Maldivian foreign ministry said the Israeli minister's remarks were extremely concerning, especially at a time when the Israeli government is already engaged in a "disproportionate military aggression against innocent civilians in Palestine".
"The government of the Republic of Maldives also expresses its deep concern regarding the insufficient response from the Israeli government for a statement that represents a blatant violation of international humanitarian laws and calls the international community to address such rhetoric which endangers the lives of Palestinians," the statement read.
"The government of the Republic of Maldives reiterates its call upon the international community to take immediate action to stop the attacks on innocent civilians and calls for an immediate ceasefire to allow and strengthen efforts made to provide unobstructed humanitarian aid to the people in Palestine."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday disciplined a junior member of his cabinet who appeared to voice openness to the idea of Israel carrying out a nuclear strike on Gaza, where the war with Hamas is inflicting a spiralling Palestinian civilian toll.
Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying that the minister concerned - Heritage Minister Amihay Eliyahu, from a far-right party in the coalition government - had been suspended from cabinet meetings "until further notice".
Asked in a radio interview about a hypothetical nuclear option, Eliyahu had replied: "That's one way."
His remark drew swift condemnation from around the Arab world, scandalised mainstream Israeli broadcasters and was deemed "objectionable" by a US official.
