Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk
AS the Hamas-Israeli conflict marks its second year, Palestine has intensified calls on the international community to support an end to Israeli aggression, which has claimed over 60 000 lives and displaced millions.
The conflict erupted on 7 October 2023, leaving large swathes of Gaza devastated and prompting the United Nations to call for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of efforts towards a two-state solution.
“The Israeli apartheid occupation destroyed 90% of the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip is very small, only 365 square kilometres. Israel now controls 80% of the territory. Medical infrastructure has been deliberately targeted, with 38 hospitals partially or completely destroyed. We now have less than 20% of our hospitals functioning. Since October 2023, Israel has dropped over 20 000 tonnes of bombs on Gaza,” said Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E Tamer Almassri.
Two days ago, UN Secretary-General António Guterres mourned the victims of the conflict, stressing that achieving a permanent ceasefire and establishing a credible political process are crucial steps to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace, while underscoring the importance of respecting international law.
With indirect talks ongoing in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi urged negotiators to “seize this opportunity” to secure peace in Gaza, including the deliberate exchange of hostages as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
