Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Government has vehemently condemned the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, lamenting the tragic loss of lives on both sides while calling for a de-escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict, which saw the largest attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas against Israel in decades, has so far resulted in over 800 Israeli and around 500 Palestinian casualties amid intense fighting and bombardments.
This comes as Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, announced on Monday an impending total blockade on the Gaza Strip, which will include cutting electricity and blocking essential supplies.
According to reports from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli air raids since the Hamas offensive began on Saturday have claimed the lives of at least 510 Palestinians and left 2,751 injured.
Israel has reported that 800 of its citizens have died with over 2,200 more injured in the retaliatory attacks.
Since the war started, the Israeli military claimed it targeted over 1,000 sites in Gaza, including devastating air raids on Beit Hanoon.
According to the United Nations, these strikes have left over 123,000 Palestinians in Gaza displaced.
Adding to the tension, an overnight Israeli air raid reportedly obliterated a fourth mosque in the Yarmouk neighbourhood in Gaza, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, issued a statement on Monday.
“Namibia is calling on Israel to cease its attacks and refrain from engaging in provocative acts against the Palestinian people and to respect international humanitarian law,” Naanda said in the statement,
Naanda added that Namibia will continue to support diplomatic efforts aimed at a lasting peace solution leading to a two-state resolution along the 1967 Israeli border with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
He reaffirmed Namibia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to self-determination and nationhood as stipulated in relevant UN resolutions.
Naanda urged the global community to advocate for an end to hostilities, safeguard civilians, and support the Palestinian cause to establish lasting peace in the Middle East.
