Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
RECENT measures imposed by Israel on the West Bank, including a strict lockdown with checkpoints and iron gates restricting the movement and dividing Palestinian cities, has been condemned and criticised as “worse than those during the Apartheid era of South Africa”.
In a statement this Tuesday, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri said Israel’s actions represented an escalation of its “genocide against the Palestinian people, further exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, coupled with its hijacking of Palestinian funds”.
“This morning, the world bore witness to another horrific act of violence as Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of desperate Palestinians awaiting humanitarian aid in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip,” he said.
“At least 60 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more were critically injured in this barbaric attack. This unconscionable act underscores Israel’s utter disregard for human life and international law.”
Ambassador Almassri added that Israel has intensified atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank “since it started its regional war to shield itself from the crimes it is committing in Palestine”.
He urged that international community to recognise that Israel’s actions were motivated by a desire to distract people from its criminal behaviour and to maintain its illegitimate occupation of Palestinian territory.
“The imposition of a strict lockdown, coupled with the indiscriminate targeting of civilians seeking aid, demonstrates a clear intent to collectively punish and systematically oppress the Palestinian population.
“The State of Palestine calls upon the international community, including the United Nations, human rights organisations, and all nations committed to justice and peace, to immediately intervene and demand an end to Israel’s genocidal, take concrete action to lift the siege on Gaza, ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, and hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The silence of the world in the face of such egregious violations of international law is complicity. The ongoing aggression has now resulted in more than 184 000 casualties – dead and wounded – with the overwhelming majority being innocent children and women,” said Ambassador Almassri.
Over 11 000 Palestinians remain missing under the rubble and are now presumed dead.
The staggering figures, said Ambassador Almassri, are a testament to the scale of the atrocities being committed daily by the Israeli occupation forces.
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