By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Nigeria has called for an urgent international investigation by the United Nations into the events surrounding October 7, which the embassy describes as a pivotal moment that has been used to justify widespread violence and atrocities against the Palestinian people.
In a statement on Thursday, Palestinian Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh emphasized the necessity of accountability for war crimes committed before, on, and after that date. He criticized the biased narratives propagated by certain Western media outlets, stating, “Many facts are still unknown, and false accusations and lies have been spread.” Ambassador Shawesh posed the critical question: “What exactly happened?”
The ambassador outlined the historical context, noting that it has been 39,059 days since the Balfour Declaration and more than 57 years of Israeli occupation. He highlighted the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict, which has intensified over the past 369 days with U.S. backing for Israeli military actions.
According to the embassy, the toll of the violence has been catastrophic: 16,927 children have been killed, with another 17,000 orphaned. The report also revealed that 11,487 women have lost their lives amid a healthcare crisis, with 96% of Gazans facing severe malnutrition, including 49,300 pregnant women. The destruction of infrastructure has left 65% of the road network in ruins, disrupting access to essential services.
The educational system has also been severely impacted, with 10,449 school students killed and hundreds of thousands denied their right to education. The situation in the occupied West Bank remains dire, with 11,100 Palestinians detained, including 740 children.
Ambassador Shawesh drew attention to the alarming number of unidentified Palestinian bodies held by Israeli authorities since October 7, asserting that the Israeli occupation has abducted nearly 1,500 bodies, many of which remain unaccounted for.
The press release also highlighted the widespread destruction of religious sites, including the deaths of 238 employees and preachers of the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and the devastation of mosques and churches.
In a recent incident on October 3, American warplanes reportedly targeted a café in the Tulkarm refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of 18 people, raising further concerns about the role of foreign military support in the ongoing violence.
Ambassador Abu Shawesh concluded the statement by reiterating the Palestinian people’s readiness to cooperate with any international probe aimed at uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability for those responsible for these atrocities.
The embassy’s call for a UN investigation comes amidst growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, as the Palestinian people continue to endure the consequences of ongoing conflict and occupation.