The State of Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The State of Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr Tamer Almassri has strongly denounced the ongoing Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure.
Dr Almassri said this latest action has resulted in 19 civilian martyrs in the past 24 hours, including women and children, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the ceasefire.
“In a persistent pattern of systemic aggression, Israeli attacks killed at least 18 Palestinians in Gaza over a single 24-hour period, reflecting a dangerous escalation throughout the territory.
“Israeli forces also targeted medicine warehouses attached to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, destroying essential medical supplies.
“By destroying these critical resources, the occupation has effectively turned medicine and illness itself into a weapon of war. “Furthermore, thousands of Palestinians requiring emergency medical treatment outside Gaza continue to be denied permission to leave,” revealed Dr Almassri.
He added that civilians in Gaza are no longer facing a temporary food shortage; but are enduring a systematic deprivation of the basic means of survival due to the continuous blockade and severe restrictions on the entry of food, water, and medicine.
“1.4 million Palestinians face acute food insecurity while 74,000 children require urgent treatment for acute malnutrition.
“Since October 2023, the cumulative death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached at least 73,375 Palestinians.
“This figure remains incomplete, as thousands of victims remain trapped under the rubble, inaccessible to ambulance and rescue crews due to constant bombardment and lack of equipment. At least 174,162 others have also been injured.”
His Excellency Almassri said the State of Palestine urgently calls upon the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities.
“Immediate and decisive pressure must be exerted on Israel to fulfil its obligations under international law and adhere to ceasefire agreements to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians and enable the rebuilding of Gaza,” he said.
He reiterated that failure to act immediately would not only encourage further colonist violence and accelerate Israel’s annexation of occupied Palestinian territory, but would also undermine the credibility of the international legal system.
