Mo Salah: Liverpool forward calls on world leaders to come together amid Israel-Gaza conflict
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has called for immediate humanitarian aid in Gaza and an end to the carnage in the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Hundreds of Palestinian civilians were killed in a massive explosion at a hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday, as concerns grow as supplies of water and food run low.
Both Israel and Hamas have made rival claims about the atrocity which was feared to have killed at least 500 people.
Israel has said it will allow Egypt to deliver limited amounts of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, amid the siege following Hamas’ surprise attacks on October 7.
In a video post on social media, Salah said: “It is not always easy to speak in times like these. There has been too much violence, too much heartbreak and brutality.
“The escalations of recent weeks have been unbearable to watch. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres must stop. Families are torn apart.
“What is now clear is that humanitarian aid to Gaza must be allowed immediately. The people there are in terrible conditions.
“The scenes in the hospital last night were horrific. The people of Gaza are in urgent need of food, water and medical supplies.
“I call on world leaders to come together to prevent the further slaughter of innocent souls – humanity must prevail.”
Salah, through his agent, had already made a so-called “significant” secret donation to the humanitarian organization, the Egyptian Red Crescent, in support of the people of Gaza.
On Wednesday evening, US President Joe Biden said Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had agreed to open the Rafah crossing to allow about 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
Last week the government encouraged sports organizations in Britain to pay their respects to the victims of the recent violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
It is understood the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has written to several governing bodies suggesting they pay appropriate tribute at upcoming events.
Although the government has expressed its unwavering support for Israel, the Football Association opted not to illuminate the Wembley arch with the colors of the Israeli flag during England’s friendly against Australia last Friday.
England players wore black armbands during that match and a period of silence was held before kick-off to respect “the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine”.