The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Abdullah Abu Shawesh, has emphasized the need for a holistic approach to secure the release of over 7,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons amidst the ongoing Hamas-Israeli conflict.
Amb. Shawesh, while addressing diplomatic correspondents in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, stressed the importance of not setting a timeframe for the release of hostages from both sides.
Expressing the Palestinian perspective, the ambassador stated, “Every Palestinian desires peace and eagerly anticipates the safe return of all hostages to their homes, irrespective of their nationalities.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of extending the focus beyond Israeli hostages alone, calling for the release of those in the West Bank and the 2.3 million residents of Gaza who have been under Israeli siege.
“There are 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have been under Israeli siege since 2007.
“More than 7,000 individuals, including 300 children, are detained in Israeli jails. Therefore, when addressing the hostage situation, it should encompass a collective resolution from both sides.
“We cannot exclusively address one side of the conflict. I firmly believe that all hostages, regardless of nationality, should return home without delay.
“Both Israelis and Palestinians, including Gaza and the West Bank, should be free.
“The people of Gaza should not be subjected to Israeli siege.
“We advocate for a ceasefire and aspire to witness the release of all Israeli and Palestinian hostages.
“It is imperative that tonight, all hostages – be it Israelis or Palestinians – return to their homes.
“In addressing this issue, it is essential for us to collectively approach the matter, without exclusively focusing on Israeli hostages alone.”
Al-Shifa Hospital
Refuting the claim made by the Israeli military about a bunker housing the Hamas Command Centre under the Al-Shifa Hospital, the ambassador clarified that the existence of the bunker was well-known, as it was developed by Israeli engineers during the construction of the hospital.
“After prolonged incitement and propaganda against the hospital in Gaza and days of scrutiny, the Israeli Army failed to provide substantial evidence to support their allegations of it being used as a military base.
“Moreover, they presented fabricated evidence that failed to convince even their own people, leading to widespread criticism and mockery on Israeli social media,” Amb. Shawesh explained.
In recent weeks, Al-Shifa Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip has become a focal point in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants, with Israeli officials claiming that Hamas had been utilizing the hospital to conceal weapons and command centres.
The Palestinian Ambassador further dismissed these claims and called for the establishment of an independent international inquiry council to investigate the allegations.
Additionally, he expressed apprehension about the lack of commitment from the West and Israel in implementing the two-state solution to resolve the enduring conflict between Palestine and Israel.
He added that Israel and the United States, in particular, were obstructing all initiatives aimed at implementing the two-state solution as mandated by the United Nations.
“They (the West and Israel) possess the capability to make the two-state solution a reality, but they are unwilling to do so. They are not prepared for it.
“We did not become prepared today; our readiness has been consistent – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
“We do not wish to witness further casualties from both sides. We hope for the safe return of all hostages to their homes,” he affirmed.
When asked about the possibility of peace amidst the firm stances of Hamas and Israel, the ambassador responded:
“As long as Israel possesses nuclear weapons, there cannot be peace.
“Furthermore, peace is unattainable as long as they continue to occupy us.”
Nevertheless, the ambassador expressed hope that the new agreement would mark another stride towards addressing all the issues between Hamas and Israel.
