Nigeria Reiterates Call For A Humanitarian Truce In Israel– Gaza Conflict

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its call for an immediate durable and sustained humanitarian truce between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza and asks for the opening of humanitarian corridor.

The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar said, the situation in Gaza is dire and requires immediate attention as a result of the recent uptick in violence.

Tuggar in a statement in Abuja on Saturday also said, women, children, and other vulnerable groups are among innocent civilians that have suffered greatly as a result of the indiscriminate violence and are currently bearing the consequences.

He insisted that the parties in the conflict must uphold the fundamental values of human rights and international humanitarian law, which places premium on ensuring civilians’ safety and well-being even in times of conflict.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on the Israeli Government to grant humanitarian access to the millions of people that have been displaced since the crisis broke.

“The lack of water, food, medical supplies and fuel shortages have compounded the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

The Federal Government of Nigeria also calls on all parties involved to immediately agree to a ceasefire and engage in diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.

“Both parties are urged to exercise utmost restraint and prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians. Indiscriminate attacks that result in civilian casualties must be avoided at all costs.

“The prayer of the Nigerian nation is with those who have lost their lives in the conflict and families that have suffered human and material losses, and also those that are currently recuperating from injuries.

“Finally, the Federal Government of Nigeria is reiterating its call once again for a quick deescalation of hostilities by both sides and a return to the negotiating table to continue the search for peaceful resolutions and the implementation of the two-state solution as a permanent settlement of the inter-generational cycle of violence,” he added.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the going war is very close to 9000 with

1,400 people killed in Israel and 7,500 in Gaza since the Hamas attacks of October 7.

This is as Israel has continued to pound Gaza with airstrikes following a night of intensified bombing.

Israel’s military said its ground forces entered Gaza overnight as part of an expanded ground operation and were “still in the field”

The United Nations General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce, with 120 states voting for a resolution put forward by Jordan.