LONDON: A group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela called on governments providing military assistance to Israel amid its war with Hamas in Gaza to rethink their approach Monday.
The Elders, which include former UN chief Ban Ki-moon, accused Israel of conducting a "disproportionate" response to Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack.
Israel has vowed to crush Hamas in retaliation for the attack, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw around 240 hostages taken, according to Israeli authorities.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says nearly 15,900 people have since been killed in the Palestinian territory, about 70 percent of them women and children – a toll that has sparked global alarm and mass demonstrations.
The Elders said Israel's retaliation "has reached a level of inhumanity towards Palestinians in Gaza that is intolerable."
"More killing is not the answer. Negotiation is the way to end this conflict," they said in a statement.
The group said that governments "which provide military assistance in the knowledge that atrocities are being committed, or may be imminent, risk being complicit."
It added that world leaders "must act now to deter atrocities and end impunity" including by "urgently reviewing military assistance to Israel, and putting in place conditions for any future provision."
The group also called on governments to enable the International Criminal Court "to accelerate its investigation into atrocity crimes by all parties."
It urged leaders with influence over the Israeli government and Hamas to push for a permanent ceasefire as well.
The Elders were founded in 2007 and advocate for peace, justice, human rights and environmental sustainability.
Current members include former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and ex-Ireland president Mary Robinson.--AFP