Ambassador Tamer Almassri
By Wallace Mawire
The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 70,360, most of them women and children, since the start of the Israeli genocidal war on the enclave in October 2023, according to the Embassy of Palestine in Zimbabwe.
The Embassy said over the past 24 hours, six new fatalities and 17 injuries were recorded in Gaza as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire with its relentless airstrikes. They said the violations have exacerbated an already catastrophic situation, as the onset of harsh winter conditions leaves millions of displaced Palestinians exposed to freezing temperatures without adequate shelter, heating, or infrastructure.
Ambassador Tamer Almassri has strongly condemned Israeli military actions during a purported truce and warns that the convergence of relentless bombardment and the collapse of essential services during winter threatens to increase the mortality rate significantly beyond direct combat casualties.
He urged the international community to intervene immediately to enforce the ceasefire and facilitate the entry of urgent winter aid to the besieged enclave.
The Ambassador said the international community cannot remain indifferent to the unfolding tragedy. He said world leaders must take immediate and decisive action to bring an end to Israel’s military campaign against Gaza.
He said the the violation of ceasefire agreements and the continued targeting of civilian populations are clear infringements of international humanitarian law and must be universally condemned.