Dozens of heads of state and other senior officials from the NAM, formed officially in 1961 by countries opposed to joining either of the two major Cold War-era military and political blocs, attended a summit in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Speaking on the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, Cuba’s Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa said, "since Oct. 7 we have witnessed one of the cruelest genocidal acts ever to be recorded by history."
"How can the Western countries, who claim to be so civilized, justify the murder of women and children in Gaza, the indiscriminate bombings of hospitals and schools and deprivation of access to safe water and food?" Mesa added.
Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza after Hamas on Oct. 7 attacked the Middle Eastern nation.
Over 1,200 Israelis and foreigners were killed and 240 people were taken hostage by Hamas, authorities in the Middle Eastern nation say.
The military campaign has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union commission, called for an immediate end to what he called the "unjust war against the Palestinian people."
Nearly all African countries belong to the NAM, comprising nearly half of its members, while other members range from India and Indonesia to Saudi Arabia and Iran, Chile, Peru and Colombia.
Leaders from member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement pose for a photograph at the 19th summit, in Munyonyo suburb, of Kampala, Uganda January 19, 2024.
Israel has said it is acting in self-defense and rejected accusations of genocide, including in a case brought against the Middle Eastern nation by South Africa at the United Nations' top court.
Speaking at the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the war in Gaza had demonstrated the inadequacy of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, where the United States has vetoed several resolutions critical of Israel.
"We should establish a system of global governance that is fair and equitable and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all persons in situations of threat and harm," Ramaphosa said.