Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE State of Palestine has strongly condemned the recent approval by Israel to establish 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In a statement yesterday, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri said the plan was a “flagrant violation” of international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“This egregious act by apartheid Israel not only undermines the legitimacy of the international community, but also perpetuates the suffering of the Palestinian people, who have been subjected to decades of occupation, dispossession and the current genocide,” he said.
“The international community has consistently reiterated its opposition to such policies. Yet, Israel persists in its pursuit of colonisation, further entrenching the occupation and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.”
In light of the situation, Ambassador Almassri called upon the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities to protect the rights of the Palestinian people.
“Effective measures must be taken to halt Israel’s violations of international law, including the immediate cessation of settlement expansion and the removal of existing settlements.
“The international community must also work towards reviving the political process to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.
“Furthermore, the State of Palestine is compelled to bring attention to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where the situation has become increasingly dire,” added Ambassador Almassri.
The recent storm and harsh weather conditions have resulted in 13 deaths, with many more at risk due to the severe lack of shelter, medical care, and heating as a result of the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza.
The residents of Gaza, particularly children and displaced individuals living in flimsy tents, are struggling to survive amid the freezing cold and rainy weather.
Ambassador Almassri rallied the international community to take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We call for the large-scale unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, shelter, and heating supplies, to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Since October 2023 when Israel launched its war against Gaza, at least 70 668 Palestinians have been killed and 171 152 wounded, with over 11 000 missing and presumed dead, according to Palestinian health authorities.
