Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs Amal Hamad has called on “all the women of the world to stand by Palestinian women” as she spoke to journalists during the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

“I am from Gaza and our people in Gaza are subjected to genocide, ethnic cleansing and an unprecedented war of starvation and thirst,” she said. “All the necessities of life have been destroyed by Israel’s war machine.”

“Pressure should be exerted on Israel to reach a ceasefire urgently” so that people in Gaza can receive “urgent relief” during Ramadan, she added.

Hamad also spoke at a side event on women in Gaza, with Palestine’s mission to the UN sharing a video showing delegates responding with applause and chants of “Free, free Palestine”.