The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, expressed deep concern during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza due to the ongoing assault by Israel.
According to Shawesh, approximately 17,000 children in the occupied Gaza Strip have been tragically orphaned, left without any known relatives around them. This heart-wrenching reality underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on innocent lives.
Shawesh also shared alarming statistics, stating that the number of martyrs has now reached 29,410, with a staggering 69,465 individuals wounded since the aggression on Gaza began on October 7th. The scenes of devastation are harrowing, with thousands of victims still trapped under rubble and on roads, as ambulances and civil defence crews are hindered by the occupation army.
Quoting information from the Gaza Municipality, Shawesh detailed the extensive destruction caused by the Israeli army, including the obliteration of 42,000 meters of water pipes, 40 wells, and nine water tanks. Additionally, about one million square meters of roads have been decimated, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Palestinian Ambassador did not mince words when addressing the actions of the United States, condemning what he described as a double standard. Despite acknowledging Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas as excessive, the US proceeded to veto the Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. This marks the third time the US has vetoed such a resolution, prompting strong criticism from Shawesh.
He accused the US of effectively providing a green light for Israel to continue what he termed a “genocidal war” against the Palestinian people. Shawesh emphasized that such a stance makes the United States complicit in the crimes of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
The conflict escalated when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,160 individuals in southern Israel, mostly civilians as per official Israeli figures. Shockingly, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory reports that over 29,000 people, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Adding to the grim reality, Hamas has reportedly taken around 250 hostages, with 130 still believed to be in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead according to Israel’s claims. In response, Israel has issued a warning that unless Hamas releases all hostages, it will continue its offensive operations during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, including in Rafah, further intensifying the already dire situation in the region.
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