Tensions have reached a critical point in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestine formally petitioning the United Nations (UN) to demand the withdrawal of Israeli forces from what they consider their territory.
The petition comes in the wake of a shocking attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, resulting in a substantial loss of life and widespread destruction.
On October 8, Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel, escalating hostilities in the region. As of now, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 1,500 individuals, with concerns that the death toll could rise even further in the coming days.
Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja on October 10, the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullahp Shawesh, urged the UN to enforce international law on Israel, compelling it to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. Ambassador Shawesh emphasized that the application of international law could bring an immediate halt to the ongoing conflict. However, he cautioned that if Israel did not comply, Palestinians would continue to assert their legitimate right to self-defense and liberation.
Ambassador Shawesh detailed the extensive damage caused by Israeli actions, highlighting that Gaza, home to the third oldest church in the world, had been relentlessly bombarded. He reported that nearly a thousand Palestinians had lost their lives, including 140 children and 105 women, with an additional 4,100 individuals sustaining injuries. Furthermore, a staggering 123,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced, with these numbers expected to rise.
In an attempt to exert pressure, Israel imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip, severely restricting access to electricity, water, food, and fuel. Videos circulating online continue to depict explosions leveling buildings in Gaza, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Despite the adversities faced by Palestinians, Ambassador Shawesh expressed unwavering determination to defeat Israeli aggression and end the occupation of their territories.
On the other hand, Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, pointed a finger at Iran as the mastermind behind Hamas’ attack on Israel. Freeman alleged that Iran was financing the conflict with the intention of destabilizing the entire region surrounding Israel. In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Freeman stated, “It’s a major concern for us. We know that Iran is behind these attacks by Hamas. Iran is the one who gave permission. Iran is the one who funds Hamas. They are doing everything in order to destabilize the region.”
Freeman went on to assert that Iran’s support extended to various other militant groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as other groups in the West Bank and Syria. He contended that Iran’s motives were rooted in opposing progress and peace, instead favoring a climate of death and destruction.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the international community awaits further developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
