The Palestinian Ambassador in Nigeria, Abu Shawesh, said 96 percent of the Gaza population is facing acute food insecurity that has surpassed crisis level with almost half a million people in catastrophic conditions.
“In addition to enforcing famine, Israel is systematically targeting various water sources and desalination plants in Gaza as another genocidal weapon against the 2.3 million civilians,” Mr Shawesh said.
The envoy stated this on Thursday in Abuja while addressing journalists on the 279 days of what he called ‘Israel’s genocidal war’ against the Palestinian people.
“The occupation army destroyed 9 out of 10 main water tanks and half of the water networks. This led to a reduction in the per capita share of water in the Gaza Strip from 84.6 liters to between 3 and 15 litres per day. To add insult to injury, all six sewage treatment plants broke down, resulting in a daily discharge of 130,000 cubic meters of sewage being dumped onto roads and between temporary shelters for displaced people.
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“Despite the massive destruction, deliberate sabotage, limited medical supplies, and a chronic shortage of doctors and surgeons, Israel has been besieging thousands of sick and wounded Gazans since the beginning of the ongoing massacre. This siege intensified after May 7, when Israel was able to control the only crossing linking Gaza to the world. As a result, more than 12,000 wounded and 14,000 sick people, including 10,000 suffering from cancer and other serious diseases, are trapped in Gaza and are at risk of death,’’ he added.
He said the situation has led to a new health crisis looming widely among the displaced people in the plastic shelter camps in Gaza.
Mr Shawesh added that as of Tuesday, July 9, the death toll in the enclaved strip has surpassed 38,193 Palestinians, with 87,903 injured and 9,510 others detained since October 7, including 325 women, 660 children.
He added that nowhere and no one is safe in Gaza, neither the civilians nor humanitarians with 274 aid workers and volunteers killed, many while on duty and others with their families at home.
The envoy, while cautioning the international community, said counting the number of Palestinian victims does not equate to ensuring safety, adding that, “Ignoring, disregarding, and violating international law will have negative consequences for everyone, whether you realize it or not. It’s only a matter of time.’’
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