UAE condemns Israeli minister's nuclear bomb comments

WAM

The UAE has strongly condemned statements made by the Israeli Heritage Minister on dropping a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip.

Amihai Eliyahu has been suspended from government meetings "until further notice" after suggesting in a radio interview that was an option.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the statements constitute a violation of international law, as well as an incitement to commit war crimes, and raise major concerns of an intent to commit genocide.

The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s categorical rejection of the threat of using nuclear weapons and stressed the immediate priority is to preserve the lives of civilians and provide them with necessary humanitarian assistance.

It also called on the international community to intensify efforts to avoid further fuelling of the situation, and to advance all efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace, while preventing the region from being drawn into new levels of violence, tension and instability.

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