The president of Brazil Luis Inacio Lula da Silva accused Israel today of committing a “genocide” of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, likening it to the extermination of the Jews by the Hitler regime.

“What is happening in Gaza Strip it’s not a war, it’s a genocide,” Lula told reporters from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was attending an African Union Summit.

“It is not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It is a war between a very well-prepared army and women and children,” added the Brazilian leader.

“What is happening in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian people has not happened at any other time in history. In fact, it already happened: when Hitler decided to kill Jews,” he argued.

These statements are among the most critical Lula has ever made regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The 78-year-old leader had condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas against him Israel calling it a “terrorist” act.

But he later appeared highly critical of Israel’s military retaliation campaign.