Amidst a rapidly intensifying conflict between Israel and Hamas, the federal government has issued an urgent appeal for the de-escalation of violence and hostilities.
On Saturday, a surprising large-scale attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas ignited gun battles that continued into the night. Hamas launched thousands of rockets from Gaza and deployed fighters with the mission to target both soldiers and civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “We are at war,” as the Israeli army retaliated by launching strikes on targets in the blockaded enclave. Tragically, this resulted in the destruction of several residential tower blocks. In the midst of the conflict, Israel reported about 80 casualties, while Gaza authorities released a death toll of 232, marking one of the bloodiest escalations in years and leaving hundreds wounded on both sides.
Netanyahu vowed that the enemy would pay an “unprecedented price” following Hamas’s surprise attack, which combined ground, air, and sea offenses. The Israeli army continued live gun battles in 22 locations throughout Israel, characterizing it as a “robust ground invasion.”
Global concern intensified, prompting the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency meeting scheduled for Sunday. President Joe Biden reiterated his “rock-solid and unwavering” support for Israel, warning against any other party hostile to Israel seeking to exploit the situation.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, issued a personal statement yesterday. It read,
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday, October 7, 2023 and calls for de-escalation and ceasefire.
“The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed, only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population, that bear the brunt of every conflict.”
The statement added that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritize the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations.“We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue.”
| ThisDay
