By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Palestine Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, has issued a powerful appeal to the international community, urging immediate action to intervene in the escalating war against the Palestinian people in Gaza. With 265 days of unrelenting violence, innocent civilians, especially women and children, are bearing the brunt of the conflict.
In a statement released in Abuja, Nigeria, Shawesh expressed concern over Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people. Amidst the ruins of their former homes, parents in Gaza are desperately searching for their children, despite the constant threat of missiles, bullets, and unexploded bombs. This conflict goes beyond the suffering of the Palestinian people; it serves as an attempt to establish a new global economic and political order.
According to him, the response from the international community has been limited, leaving many southern countries marginalized and devoid of a future. The selective application of international law and the paralysis in taking action highlight a world where democracy, human rights, and the authority of the United Nations appear powerless.
Reports and statistics from Gaza paint a harrowing picture of the devastation inflicted upon the region. The death toll has tragically risen to 37,718, with the majority of victims being women and children. Malnutrition and starvation have claimed the lives of 30 Palestinian children, with many more suffering from severe malnutrition.
Ambassador Shawesh said, education has also been severely disrupted, depriving over half a million children in Gaza of schooling for the past eight months. Additionally, 39,000 high school students are unable to take their exams. Each passing day sees more children losing limbs, with an estimated 17,000 children separated from their families.
He further stated that Israeli forces have dropped a staggering 75,000 tons of explosives on Gaza, equivalent to six nuclear bombs. Homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship have been reduced to rubble. The devastating war has left at least 10,000 people missing, presumed dead, with children constituting 43% of all casualties. Shocking evidence of torture has emerged, including the discovery of children’s bodies in mass graves.
“Israel’s aggression extends beyond direct attacks, as it continues to seize Palestinian tax funds, further crippling the Palestinian economy”.
Shawesh added that the ongoing war also involves the forced disappearance of Gaza detainees, with the Israeli occupation refusing to disclose the identities of martyrs among their ranks and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Reports of widespread torture and degradation of dignity among Palestinian prisoners and detainees have surfaced.
He said, amidst this devastating conflict, the Republic of Armenia has displayed courage by officially recognizing the State of Palestine as an independent and sovereign nation. The international community, alongside the United Nations, is now being implored to initiate an impartial international investigation into the crimes and violations committed against detainees and prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention camps.
As the death toll continues to rise and the humanitarian crisis worsens, the urgent call for international action and solidarity resonates more strongly than ever. It is imperative for the world to unite in addressing this ongoing war, ensuring justice for the victims, and actively working towards lasting peace and stability in the region.