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Pray for Palestinians, says ambassador
The Palestinian ambassador to Tanzania, Hamdi Mansour Abuali speaks to journalists in Dar es Salaam on October 12, 2023 about the ongoing fighting in his country. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
What you need to know:
- He urged all those with the capacity to help in finding a lasting solution to this dire situation to step forward and assist, thereby enabling the people of Palestine to experience peace and security, just as people around the world do.
Dar es Salaam. The Palestinian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Hamdi Mansour Abuali, has made an impassioned plea to Tanzanians, urging them to pray for the people of Palestine during this time of heightened crisis, as violence escalates between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Gaza.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Abuali also called upon the international community to step in and put an end to the tragic loss of innocent lives, especially children and women in the Gaza Strip, at the hands of the Israelis.
The latest wave of hostilities ignited on Saturday, October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, which Palestinians view as retaliation for decades of suffering under occupation. On that fateful day, international media reports indicated that the ambush claimed the lives of at least 1,200 people.
Mr Abuali revealed that, to date, Israeli forces have taken the lives of over 1,400 Palestinians, while more than 200,000 have been forcibly displaced, but remain effectively trapped within Gaza, which is itself in runs. They are under siege, he said, without basic amenities.
“These six days of relentless fighting have left Palestinians without food, electricity, water, health services, and even life-saving medicines. Homes are being torn asunder, and over 1,300 innocent civilians have perished at the hands of Israeli soldiers,” he lamented.
Mr Abuali’s heartfelt plea for prayers comes shortly after Tanzania, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr January Makamba, issued a call for peace amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
He expressed his deep condolences to the affected families in both nations and offered wishes for a swift recovery to the injured.
“We urge all parties involved to seek a path to peace through genuine dialogue, with the full support of the international community, with the ultimate aim of establishing two equally viable states living together in harmony,” his said in a statement.
Mr Abuali, speaking yesterday, expressed his amazement that the international community had, for 75 long years, failed to persuade the Israelis to halt the killings of Palestinians.
He said it was unfortunate that Palestinians were branded as ‘terrorists’ when they attempt to defend their land and their lives while Israeli actions against the Palestinians are defended.
He urged all those with the capacity to help in finding a lasting solution to this dire situation to step forward and assist, thereby enabling the people of Palestine to experience peace and security, just as people around the world do.
“We need your prayers,” he implored, echoing his earlier call to Tanzanians for support during these challenging times.
