"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with only five bakeries remaining operational due to severe fuel and supply shortages. Nearly a dozen bakeries have shut down, exacerbating the plight of the residents".
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdallah M Abu Shawesh in a press conference in Abuja on May 23, 2024, decried the ongoing inhumane treatment of Gaza's population. His address marked the 230th day of the ongoing conflict, described as the world's first televised and livestreamed genocide.
Ambassador Shawesh called on international bodies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and the Human Rights Council, to uphold their mandates.
The Ambassador urged them to conduct regular visits to Palestinian prisoners, ensuring their treatment complies with international law and holding Israel accountable as an occupying power, He stressed the need for thorough documentation and reporting of the prisoners' conditions.
As of May 22, the conflict has resulted in 35,647 Palestinian fatalities, 79,852 injuries, and 10,000 missing individuals, with nearly 72% of the victims being women and children. Ambassador Shawesh noted that 285 square kilometers, or about 78% of the Gaza Strip, are currently under evacuation orders by the Israeli military.
Reflecting on 76 years of ongoing strife since Al Nakba, Ambassador Shawesh condemned accusations of anti-Semitism directed at critics of the Israeli occupation, labeling such accusations as intimidation and blackmail.
Additionally, He emphasized the necessity for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene by establishing an office in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This office would investigate past and ongoing Israeli actions, with the aim of issuing arrest warrants for officials inciting violence against Palestinians.
The Ambassador condemned threats and intimidation against the ICC and its officials, highlighting the court's vital role in preventing impunity. He stressed that those who fail to adhere to international law should not complain when the UN High Court intervenes.
Finally, Mr. Shawesh called on the States parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention to meet their obligations under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
This includes initiating criminal investigations and prosecuting violators of the Convention in their national courts. He painted a dire picture of Gaza, where civilians have nowhere to flee, and safe zones are non-existent. "No place is safe, no one is safe," he concluded.
