By Wallace Mawire
The Embassy of the State of Palestine has said it is appalled and outraged by the intensification of Israel’s air strikes on Gaza with new dangerous bombs, which have resulted in the killing of at least 1,042 Palestinians, including 322 children over the past 10 days. The Embassy said the egregious violation of international humanitarian law is a stark reminder of Israel’s blatant disregard for human life and its continued perpetration of war crimes against the Palestinian people. The Israeli occupation forces are reported to have also expanded their ground assault on Gaza, taking extensive territory while displacing thousands of Palestinians in north Gaza.
The Embassy said the blockade imposed by Israel on March 2 has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with no food, water, fuel, or medicine entering the Strip. This is reported to have pushed Gaza to the brink of famine, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. The Embassy said all bakeries in Gaza, including 25 run by the World Food Programme (WFP), have shut down as Israel’s blockade on the Strip continues for the 31st day, marking the longest siege since the war began. The State of Palestine said it holds Israel fully responsible for the devastating consequences of its actions, which are being exacerbated by the hour.
The Embassy said Israel’s 18-month genocidal war on Palestinian civilians has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, leveling homes, hospitals, and schools. Ambassador Tamer Almassri has condemned the killing and disappearance of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedics and other first responders in Gaza as a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a stark example of Israel’s deliberate targeting of health workers and facilities.
The state of Palestine has demanded prompt and independent investigations into the grave violations of international humanitarian law and has called for those responsible to be held fully accountable. The Ambassador said the international community cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities, which are a blatant attempt to wipe out critical healthcare in Gaza. Under International Humanitarian Law, health workers must be protected at all times, and their targeting is a war crime.
He said Israeli occupation forces have continued their aggression on the city of Tulkarm and its camp for the 66th consecutive day, Jenin for 72nd day and on the Nur Shams camp for the 53rd day. He added that the occupation forces have set up military checkpoints throughout the camps and West Bank, restricting the movement of citizens and seizing homes, which are then converted into military barracks and sniper positions. The Ambassador said the destruction of 996 homes and partial destruction of 2,573 others in the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps is a stark reminder of Israel’s policy of collective punishment and forced displacement of Palestinians.
The State of Palestine said it is dismayed by the silence of the international community in the face of these atrocities. The Ambassador said the silence and lack of action have emboldened Israel to continue its crimes, behaving as if it is above international law. He said the failure to stop and hold Israel accountable for its crimes is a shame to the international world order and undermines the principles of justice, equality, and human d