90% of Schools, 45% Homes Damaged by Israeli War On Gaza – Envoy
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has revealed that nearly 90% of schools in Gaza has been destroyed or damaged, while about 45% of homes have been completely destroyed.
Shawesh made this revelation on Wednesday, November 29, while briefing Diplomatic Correspondents in Abuja.
The Envoy also revealed that globally, the incitement against Palestinians is on the increase. He called for a immediate halt to this menace.
On the prospect of returning to a negotiation table, Shawesh said, the President of Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmood Abbas has made reasonable commitment to a return of peace to Gaza but lamented Israeli officials has not demonstrated the same, instead, they are urging for the escalation of violence.
“The incitement against Palestinians around the world has reached a remarkably dangerous stage. Three Palestinian students, Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ahmed, and Kenan Abdel Hamid, were shot and injured while leaving their USA university wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh and speaking Arabic. Palestinians are being intimidated and threatened, and we should all remember Wadih Al- Fayoumi, the 6-year-old who was stabbed 26 times to death because he was a Palestinian last October.”
The envoy also cited, “Addressing the UN Security Council meeting on 22 November, UNICEF representative Katherine Russell said, and I quote: “More than 5300 Palestinian children have been reportedly killed in just 46 days or over 115 every day… this is unprecedented. In other words, Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.
“We are also receiving reports that more than 1200 children under the rubble of bombed out buildings. A total of 1652 children were verified killed between 2005 and 2022. Even before this latest escalation, more than 450 000 children in Gaza were identified as needed mental health and psychosocial support. We are particularly concerned by reports of increasing number of displaces children who have been separated from their families along evacuation corridors to the south, or who are otherwise arriving unaccompanied to hospitals for medical care.
“We are also seeing devastating attacks on schools, with close to 90% of schools sustained damage. Nearly 80% of the remaining schools’ facilities are being used as shelters for internally displaced people. But even these spaces, where children and families have sought safety after fleeing their homes, have come under attacks. UNICEF is strongly opposed to the establishment of so called safe zones. No place is safe in the Gaza Strip.”
According to the Ambassador “In the same Security Council meeting, Sima Bhous, Executive Director of UN-Women in her briefing, revealed the dangerous situation in Palestine and I quote “Women in Gaza have told us that they pray for peace, but that if peace does not come, they pray for quick death, in their sleep, with their children in their arms. It should shame us all that any mother, anywhere, has such a prayer.
“Thousands of women in Gaza have lost their homes, with 45% of all housing units destroyed or damaged. Thousands more are injured, unable to find any medical support from a totally shattered health system. 180 women are delivering babies every day without water, painkillers, anesthesia for C-sections, electricity for incubators and medical supplies” end quote.
On the ongoing hostage swap, Abdullah Shawesh said that the hostage exchanges should include the over 7,000 Palestinians behind bars before the outbreak of current hostility.
He, however, said it should not just be about the Israeli hostages alone but that the West Bank and 2.3 million residents of Gaza be set free from Israeli siege.
There are 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have been subjected and held hostage by the Israelis since 2007. More than 7,000 are in Israeli jail including 300 children.
“So when we talk about hostage solutions, it should be collective on both sides. We cannot just talk about one side. I strongly believe that all the hostages, regardless of their nationalities, should be back home tonight. The Israelis and the Palestinians. And Gaza should be free and likewise the West Bank. That the people of Gaza should not be subjected to Israeli siege.”
He said every Palestinian is for peace and looking forward to all hostages going to their homes regardless of nationalities.