Janet Samuel, Abuja
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The Ambassador of Palestine to Nigeria, Abdallah Shawesh has decried the increasing number of atrocity that is been committed against the Palestinian as the level of sexual assault against the women and girls are alarming.
To this end, the death toll has reportedly hit 30,000 mark, saying “as of yesterday, the death toll in the Gaza Strip was 29,878 Martyrs, with 70,215 injuries and around 8,000 people still missing under the rubble.
The Ambassador who made this known while speaking with Newsmen in Abuja said “We are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers. At least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were reportedly threatened with rape and sexual violence,”
He noted that, ” In this connection, a report by the Israeli state comptroller, revealed that one-third of female soldiers in Israel experienced sexual harassment in 2021, as it was published on the Israeli newspaper Harretz on November 22, 2022. 70,215 injuries and around 8,000 people are still missing under the rubble following the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people since October 7 Israel started a ground invasion of Gaza after the October 7, 2023 attacks carried out by Hamas, which killed 1,200 and abducted about 200 Israeli citizens and nationals of other countries.
The envoy in his speech quoted the Palestinian presidency spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeineh saying “If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and recognize an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,”
He also seized the opportunity to called on the international community to stop arms exports to Israel immediately even as he lamented that Israel has stopped renewing visas and work permits for scores of aid workers who provide vital support for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
While lamenting that Israel turns the ‘safe’ corridor to Gaza’s south into a trap to kill hungry and forcibly displaced Palestinians, he said humanitarian aid is still blocked by the Israeli Occupation adding that force and famine is next door in north Gaza.
“Humanitarian aids still been blocked by the Israel occupation and the famine is next the door in north Gaza, the people there are starving. The alert come again from Mr. Philippe Lazzarini commissioner general of UNRWA and I quote “The last time UNRWA was able to deliver food aid to northern Gaza was on 23 January. Since then, together with other UN agencies, we have: Warned against looming famine. Appealed for regular humanitarian access. Stated that famine can be averted if more food convoys are allowed into northern Gaza on a regular basis.
“Our calls to send food aid have been denied and have fallen on deaf ears. This is a manmade disaster. The world committed to never let famine happen again. Famine can still be avoided, through genuine political will to grant access and protection to meaningful assistance. The days to come will once again test our common humanity and values”.
