By Hosea Parah, Abuja
In a press statement released on Thursday, Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has called on the international community to utilize all available tools to put pressure on the Israeli occupation to abide by international law and agreed resolutions.
Ambassador Shawesh’s statement comes amidst the ongoing Israeli bombardment in Rafah, which has been described as unbearable and has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. The ambassador expressed deep concern for the Palestinian people, stating that the unfolding televised and livestreamed attacks have made it clear that international law is being applied selectively.
According to reports, as of Tuesday, May 29, the number of Palestinian martyrs has reached 36,096, with 81,136 injured and nearly 10,000 missing under the rubble. The war in Gaza alone has claimed the lives of over 224 humanitarian workers, including personnel from UN agencies. The majority of those affected in Gaza and other crises are Palestinian national staff.
The ambassador also highlighted the urgent need to halt the flow of arms into Israel, as it is abundantly clear that these weapons are being used to brutally kill and maim Palestinian civilians. He emphasized that a staggering five percent of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured, with over 70 percent of homes destroyed and more than 75 percent displaced.
Ambassador Shawesh expressed disappointment with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for not taking decisive action to end the ongoing genocide. The ICJ had issued four provisional measures that Israel must comply with, including halting military operations in Rafah and allowing humanitarian aid access. However, the Israeli occupation army has intensified its attacks in Rafah, disregarding international law.
The ambassador called for the immediate implementation of the ICJ’s measures and stressed the importance of allowing the United Nations fact-finding commission and international independent commission of inquiry to have access to Gaza for investigation. He echoed the call made by the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the OPT, Francesca Albanese, for the international community to impose sanctions on Israel, ban the provision of weapons, and suspend diplomatic relations until Israel complies with international law.
Ambassador Shawesh’s plea to the international community reflects the desperate situation faced by Palestinians in Gaza. It remains to be seen how the international community will respond to his call for action and pressure on Israel to end its attacks and respect international law.