Moment of silence at the IMM Assembly: For civilians who died in US and Israeli attacks

At the June session of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Assembly, a minute of silence was held for the thousands of civilians who lost their lives in the escalating tensions and conflicts in the Middle East. In a joint statement read by IMM CHP Assembly Group Spokesperson Ali Şar, the scale of the humanitarian devastation in the region was revealed with striking data, while a call was made to the international community not to "remain silent."

During the moment of silence, which was held with the joint will of the political party groups in the IMM Assembly hall, innocent civilians who lost their lives, particularly in operations carried out by Israel and the US, were commemorated. Following the memorial, CHP Group Spokesperson Ali Şar took the podium and issued a firm and clear declaration detailing the dimensions of the humanitarian crisis in the region.

"CONFLICTS HAVE TURNED INTO A REGIONAL DEVASTATION"

The read statement emphasized that the process, ignited by Israel's moves against Iran, is no longer confined to the two countries but has turned into a regional crisis engulfing the entire Middle East. In his speech, which he based on official data, Şar shared the following balance sheet:

A total of 3,468 people have lost their lives and more than 26,500 people have been injured in the conflicts across the region so far.

In the first 100 days of the attacks, 3,371 people lost their lives in Lebanon, while 10,129 people were injured. In Iraq, the death toll reached 118.

SCHOOL ATTACK AND GAZA EMPHASIS

The declaration stated that the most brutal face of the war is seen on children and civilian living spaces, recalling the attack on the Shajarah Tayyebah Primary School in the city of Minab, Iran, which resulted in 168 deaths.

"The targeting of a school where children are educated, and families being forced to search for their loved ones under the rubble, clearly reveals the humanitarian dimension of the war.

While drawing attention to the tragedy in Iran today, we cannot ignore the humanitarian catastrophe that has been ongoing for many years in Gaza and has worsened in the recent period. Gaza, where hospitals, schools, and basic infrastructure are targeted, has opened deep wounds in the common conscience of humanity."

CALL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: "DO NOT NORMALIZE THE SUFFERING"

Speaking to the whole world from under the roof of the IMM Assembly, Ali Şar argued that remaining silent in the face of the bombing of hospitals and civilian settlements would mean legitimizing these crimes, and concluded his words as follows:

"The duty of the international community is not to normalize the suffering experienced and to defend the right to life of civilians wherever it occurs. We invite all international institutions, local governments, and people of conscience to support efforts to protect civilians and to take responsibility for the establishment of lasting peace in the region."

The full text of the statement read by IMM CHP Group Spokesperson Ali Şar is as follows:

"The conflicts that began with Israel's attacks on Iran and have gradually expanded have brought with them not only military targets but also a severe humanitarian crisis that directly affects the lives of millions of people. According to current data, 3,468 people have lost their lives and more than 26,500 people have been injured. Although easy to say, each of these numbers represents unfinished lives, broken families, and lost hopes for the future.

One of the most severe consequences of the war is seen on civilians. According to statements by Iranian officials, 168 people lost their lives in the attack on the Shajarah Tayyebah Primary School in the city of Minab. The targeting of a school where children are educated, families being forced to search for their loved ones under the rubble, and the severe damage to civilian living spaces clearly reveal the humanitarian dimension of the war.

While drawing attention to the tragedy in Iran today, we cannot ignore the humanitarian catastrophe that has been ongoing for many years in Gaza and has worsened in the recent period. What is happening in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives, the right to life of children, women, and the elderly has been violated, and hospitals, schools, and basic living infrastructure have been targeted, has opened deep wounds in the common conscience of humanity. Just as in Gaza, civilians are paying the heaviest price of the war in Iran as well.

The events have not remained limited to Iran; Israel's attacks have quickly turned into a regional devastation. In the first 100-day period, 3,371 people lost their lives and 10,129 people were injured in Lebanon, while 118 people lost their lives in Iraq. This picture shows that the conflicts are no longer just an issue between two countries, but have turned into a regional crisis that threatens the peace and stability of the entire Middle East.

The duty of the international community is not to normalize the suffering experienced and to defend the right to life of civilians wherever it occurs. Remaining silent in the face of the targeting of hospitals, schools, and civilian settlements will mean allowing these sufferings to be normalized.

For this reason, we invite all international institutions, local governments, and people of conscience to support efforts to protect civilians, to raise the call for the implementation of international law, and to take responsibility for the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

We respectfully commemorate all the civilians who lost their lives, wish a speedy recovery to the injured, and hope that the days when the Middle East is once again associated with peace, stability, and tranquility will come as soon as possible."

News Source: 12punto