The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, expressed his welcome to Nigeria’s inclusion in a committee tasked with ending the ongoing war in Gaza.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League recently selected Nigeria as part of a special delegation responsible for initiating immediate international action to halt the conflict.
During the embassy’s weekly press briefing in Abuja, Ambassador Shawesh expressed optimism about the committee’s ability to contribute to stopping the ongoing war.
He emphasized the significance of the diplomatic process and conveyed the Palestinians’ gratitude for the establishment of the committee. Also, he welcomed Nigeria’s participation in this crucial initiative.
The ambassador called on international bodies to hold Israel accountable for its actions, urging them to fulfill their international legal obligations.
He stressed that accountability was crucial not only to stop Israel’s occupation but also to save the lives of Palestinians.
Ambassador Shawesh emphasized the need for serious actions by the Security Council, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and all states to address Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinian people.
Likewise, he emphasized the obligation under the Fourth Geneva Convention to respect and ensure respect in all circumstances, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. He reiterated that Israel should not be allowed to consider itself above the law.
Providing an update on the casualty figures, Ambassador Shawesh shared the staggering statistic that over 12,000 Palestinian civilians, the majority being children and women, had lost their lives since the commencement of the Israeli occupation.
He expressed deep sorrow regarding the loss of life and highlighted the dire situation faced by the people of Palestine.
The ambassador also mentioned that there were still individuals trapped under the rubble, with signs of life indicating their ongoing struggle to survive.
With Nigeria joining the committee, there is renewed hope for international efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
The collaboration between nations in addressing the situation provides a ray of hope for the Palestinian people and contributes to ongoing efforts to bring an end to the devastation and loss of innocent lives.
