By Harriet Tornguvan, Abuja
Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh of the Embassy of the State of Palestine has voiced deep concern over the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on Palestinian children.
Highlighting the emotional toll it has taken. He expressed particular sadness over the loss of bedtime stories, a simple yet profound part of childhood.
“There are no beds for stories in the plastic tents where children sleep on the ground.
"There is no time for stories when these children are constantly gasping for breath, seeking safety.
He emphasized the resilience of the Palestinian people: “We will continue to remember our bedtime tales and pass them on to the next generation. Through love, we will live, smile, and dream. We are like the Phoenix, rising from the ashes.”
Speaking to the media in Abuja on Thursday, he marked the 363rd day of continuous bombardment on Palestine, describing it as barbaric and relentless, with the use of various American weapons.
He stated that the attacks have left more than 41,615 people dead and 96,359 injured, with a significant proportion being women and children.
Citing Human Rights Watch, Shawesh noted that as of mid September, 38 Palestinians primarily children had died from malnutrition and dehydration in hospitals. The World Health Organization estimates that over 22,500 people had sustained "life-altering" injuries by late July. UNICEF also reported that thousands of children have lost one or more limbs within the first few months of the conflict.
The ambassador further detailed the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than one million people were deprived of food rations in August, a number that surged to 1.4 million by September.
He said, over 100,000 metric tons of food supplies remain stuck outside Gaza due to access restrictions, damaged infrastructure, and insecurity.
Shawesh stressed that hunger is a growing crisis in Gaza and labeled it as entirely "man-made."
He also pointed out that nearly 70% of crop fields in Gaza have been destroyed, leaving the population heavily reliant on humanitarian aid.
Shawesh condemned Israel, referring to it as a "pariah state" that has been added to the United Nations' "list of shame" for committing grave violations against children.
He called out Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and exacerbating the water crisis, among other violations. He further criticized Israel’s declaration of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as persona non grata, barring him from entering the country. This, he argued, represents one of the most egregious acts in modern political history, noting the silence of the U.S. representative at the UN Security Council while other members expressed full confidence in Guterres.
Shawesh said, despite a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly on September 13, and an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice calling for an end to the supply of arms to Israel, Israel's recent announcement. On September 26, Israel confirmed it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States to support its military activities and maintain a strategic edge in the region.
