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Herald Reporter
ZANU PF has condemned the killing of the mother to the Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri, on Tuesday in southern Gaza, in the ongoing bombardment of Palestinians by Israeli forces.
Israel invaded Palestine in early October and has been bombing residential areas, schools and hospitals with only a brief ceasefire before resuming military operations against mostly civilian targets.
In a statement yesterday, Zanu PF Secretary General Dr Obert Mpofu said the ruling party “strongly denounces the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing being committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip”.
“The indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians, including women, children, the hospitalised, the disabled and the elderly, is a gross violation of human rights and international law.
“The loss of innocent lives and the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and vital services is unacceptable.
To date more than 1,9 million people in the Gaza Strip have been displaced, 16 700 people have been killed of which 75 percent are the elderly, women and children while in excess of 43 616 people have been seriously injured.”
Dr Mpofu said the Israeli apartheid State has dropped bombs equalling three atomic bombs on a place measuring 365 square kilometres destroying more than 60 percent of houses in Gaza.
Innocent civilians have been denied food, water, medicines, fuel and other necessities of life.
Added Dr Mpofu: “In this respect, ZANU PF unequivocally condemns the tragic killing of the mother of the Ambassador of Palestine to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Tamer Almassri in Khan Younis on 5 December 2023 due to the indiscriminate and callous bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
“This senseless act of genocidal violence is deeply saddening and we extend our sincere condolences to the Ambassador and his family as well as to all those who have lost thousands of family members in the brutal carnage by Israel.
“As a party that has always stood against oppression and injustice, we call for an immediate and final ceasefire in the region. The continued loss of innocent lives and the cycle of violence must be stopped immediately.”
Dr Mpofu the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) must be allowed to deliver services to millions of Palestinians who have been displaced and lost their homes.
“The international community must pour support to UNRWA for the benefit of the Palestinian people. We strongly urge the international community to take decisive action in bringing an end to the Israeli apartheid occupation, which has imposed immense suffering on the Palestinian people for decades.
“ZANU PF supports the call for a permanent solution to the Palestinian struggle, based on the principles of justice, equality, and self-determination.
“We demand full respect of international law, protecting the vulnerable, freeing all prisoners in Israeli jails, with a long-term ceasefire and unlimited humanitarian aid for Palestinians,” said Dr Mpofu.
All nations, he said, must jointly demand an end to the occupation of Palestine and the lifting of the blockade of Gaza.
Dr Mpofu said there can be no peace without the creation of the irreversible two-State solution, on the basis of United Nations resolutions and international law, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and good neighbourliness.
“Today and every day, let us stand in solidarity with the aspirations of the Palestinian people to achieve their inalienable rights to self-determination.
“ZANU PF stands in solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinian people and calls for an immediate end to the violence, by Israel, and the realisation of a Palestinian State free from Israeli apartheid occupation.
“Together, let us work towards a future where self-determination, peace, justice, and prosperity prevail for all the people of Palestine,” said Dr Mpofu.
Online Reporter