By Wallace Mawire
Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Zimbabwe Dr. Tamer Almassri has again condemned in the strongest terms the latest Israeli missile attack on the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.
The Ambassador said the horrific strike, which occurred on the morning of Palm Sunday and the commencement of Holy Week, marks the fifth time the affiliate hospital of the Anglican Diocese in Jerusalem has been targeted since the beginning of the Israeli aggression in 2023.
He said the attack on the Ahli Arab Hospital, particularly on such a significant religious occasion, is an act of profound cruelty and a stark illustration of the ongoing brutality faced by the Palestinian people.
He said the destruction of a vital medical facility by the occupying forces represents one of the most horrific forms of genocide and forced displacement, occurring under a shameful blanket of international inaction.
The Ambassador said the Israeli missile strikes have completely destroyed the hospital’s two-storey Genetic Laboratory and inflicted significant damage on the Pharmacy and Emergency Department, essential services for the already besieged population of Gaza.
Furthermore,he said the surrounding area, including the nearby church of St. Philip’s, has sustained collateral damage, demonstrating the indiscriminate nature of the assault.
The State of Palestine said it views the deliberate targeting of hospitals, health centers, and medical staff as the most heinous acts of extermination.
The Ambassador added that the attack is a blatant disregard for the international community, fundamental humanitarian principles, and international law. He said it is a clear manifestation of a systematic Israeli policy aimed at the complete destruction of all life-sustaining infrastructure in Gaza, rendering it uninhabitable and forcibly displacing its citizens through military force.
The State of Palestine has urgently called upon all governments and people of goodwill across the globe to intervene decisively to halt all forms of attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions and to protect the Palestinian people.
He said the deafening silence of the international community only emboldens Israel to perpetrate further massacres
He said the silence sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that a nation can attack another with impunity. The Ambassador said while today it is the Palestinians who are targeted, tomorrow it could be any nation that falls victim to such unchecked aggression.
The State of Palestine has demanded immediate accountability for the egregious acts and reiterates its unwavering commitment to seeking justice and protection for the Palestinian people.