In the midst of the ongoing conflict, Palestine has formally submitted a petition to the United Nations, calling for Israel’s withdrawal from its territories.
This announcement was made by the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdallah Shawesh, during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The conflict escalated on October 7 when the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, launched an unexpected attack on Israel. Tragically, the conflict has already claimed the lives of over 1,500 individuals, with concerns that the death toll may rise further.
In response, Israel imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip, leading to severe shortages of essential resources such as electricity, water, food, and fuel.
During the press conference, Ambassador Abdallah Shawesh emphasised the need for the United Nations to enforce international law regarding Israel and compel the nation to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. Shawesh stated that the application of international law could bring a halt to the conflict; otherwise, Palestinians would continue to assert their legitimate right to self-liberation and defence.
The Shawesh called on the international community to treat Israel like any other nation under the rule of law, emphasising the importance of fair treatment for all parties involved.
Regarding the association between the Palestinian government and the Hamas group, Shawesh clarified that Hamas was not considered a terrorist organisation but rather an entity fighting for the liberation of Palestinian land from Israeli occupation.