Harare, (New Ziana) – Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Tamer Almassri, has appealed to the international community to take urgent action to end the continued Isreali attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, warning that the worsening humanitarian crisis demands an immediate global response.
In a statement on Tuesday, Almassri condemned what he said were ongoing Israeli war crimes, accusing Israeli forces of targeting healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure in violation of international law, international humanitarian law and the ceasefire.
“We strongly condemn and denounce the ongoing Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, and the resulting 19 civilian martyrs in the past 24 hours, including women and children, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the ceasefire,” he said.
Almssri said Israeli military operations continue to intensify across Gaza, with at least 18 Palestinians reportedly killed within a 24-hour period, describing the attacks as part of a persistent pattern of systemic aggression.
He also accused Israeli forces of targeting medicine warehouses attached to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, destroying essential medical supplies needed to treat thousands of patients.
“By destroying these critical resources, the occupation has effectively turned medicine and illness itself into a weapon of war. Furthermore, thousands of Palestinians requiring emergency medical treatment outside Gaza continue to be denied permission to leave,” he said.
Almassri said the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated beyond a temporary food shortage, adding Palestinians are now facing systematic deprivation of the basic necessities of life due to the continued blockade and severe restrictions on the entry of food, water and medicine.
He said about 1.4 million Palestinians are experiencing acute food insecurity, while approximately 74 000 children urgently require treatment for acute malnutrition, adding the cumulative human toll of the conflict had continued to rise since October 2023.
“Since October 2023, the cumulative death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached at least 73,375 Palestinians. This figure remains incomplete, as thousands of victims remain trapped under the rubble, inaccessible to ambulance and rescue crews due to constant bombardment and lack of equipment. At least 174 162 others have also been injured,” he said.
Almassri urged governments and international organizations to fulfil what he described as their legal and moral responsibilities by compelling Israel to comply with international law and existing ceasefire agreements, warning that continued inaction by the international community would have far-reaching consequences.
The conflict has drawn increasing international concern over civilian casualties, humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law, with repeated calls from the United Nations and other international actors for a sustained ceasefire, the protection of civilians and expanded humanitarian assistance.
New Ziana
