'Gaza has been an open-air prison for nearly two decades and is fast becoming a mass grave' - Angelina Jolie

SHAH ALAM - Angelina Jolie has described the Israeli air strikes in Gaza as a 'deliberate bombing of a trapped population'.

The actress who is known for her humanitarian work worldwide, posted a long statement on her Instagram on Wednesday condemning the attack, along with a photo showing the devastation from a recent deadly airstrike at Gaza’s largest refugee camp, Jabalia.

“This is the deliberate bombing of a trapped population that has nowhere to flee.

“Gaza has been an open-air prison for nearly two decades and is fast becoming a mass grave," Jolie captioned the post.

Jolie went on to write that 40 percent of those murdered are defenceless children and that entire families are being butchered.

She addressed the international community and its leaders, condemning the unfolding atrocities against 'millions of Palestinian civilians'.

She wrote, "While the world watches and with the active support of many governments, millions of Palestinian civilians—children, women, and families—are being collectively punished and dehumanised, all while being deprived of food, medicine, and humanitarian aid against international law. By refusing to demand a humanitarian ceasefire and blocking the UN Security Council from imposing one on both parties, world leaders are complicit in these crimes."

She also slammed Israel and its allies for dismissing persistent calls for a ceasefire from across the world.

Jolie also shared a brief description of the Jabalia refugee camp by UNRWA, a UN agency of relief for Palestinian refugees.

"Jabalia refugee camp is the largest of the Gaza Strip’s eight refugee camps. After the 1948 war, refugees settled in the camp, most having fled from villages in southern Palestine. The camp covers an area of only 1.4 square kilometres. 116,011 Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Jabalia camp alone, 75 years since the 1948 conflict," she wrote.

The actress has a massive following of 14.9 million, and the post has since garnered more than 2 million likes.

Several of her followers praised her bravery and left comments of support for the Palestinians.

Instagram user @achisrby said, “Thank you for using your platform to spread the truth.” Another user, @keebsmo, said, “Thank you for speaking up on this heartbreaking conflict and genocide.”

@chongcha commented, “Thank you for your voice for those whose voice will never be heard. #ceasefire #freePalestine.” Meanwhile, user @fantasibby commented, "This is awful. People should stop the war.”