Gaza Strip Conflict 'A Massacre,' Says Brazil's President Rousseff

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff attends a ceremony for the National Children's Nursery Program at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday Sept. 15, 2011. Brazil's tourism minister Pedro Novais has resigned amid allegations of misusing public funds. Novais is the fifth minister to resign since June. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) ((AP Photo/Eraldo Peres))

Brazil's president is calling Israel's conflict with Hamas "a massacre."

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff made the comment while speaking with local media outlets Monday from the presidential residence in Brasilia.

In an article posted on the website of the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo, Rousseff says that "I think what's happening in the Gaza Strip is dangerous. I don't think it's genocide, but I think it's a massacre."

Israel's fighting with Hamas has killed at least 1,050 Palestinians, many of them civilians. Israel says 52 of its soldiers have been killed in the conflict, along with three Israeli civilians.

Last week, Brazil recalled its ambassador from Israel, one of the first countries to do so. Israel's Foreign Ministry expressed "disappointment" at that move in a statement on its website.