Ambassador Tamer Almassri
By George Swarei
The Ambassador of Palestine to Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri, has condemned the recent massacres committed by Israeli forces in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. In a statement, he expressed outrage at the killing of over 90 Palestinians in a single day and the injury of dozens more, decrying what he described as a pattern of “genocidal crimes” and “ethnic cleansing” committed by Israel. The violence in Beit Lahia, along with ongoing attacks in Jabalia, is being seen by Palestinian officials as an extension of a long history of oppression and brutality toward their people.
The Palestinian official emphasized that these latest acts of violence are in flagrant violation of international laws, agreements, and United Nations resolutions. “The massacres committed yesterday are not isolated incidents,” he said, “but rather part of a systemic campaign that has seen thousands of Palestinians killed over decades, under the watch of a largely silent international community.”
The Ambassador stressed that the continuing violence in Gaza—including the widespread destruction of buildings, the targeting of health centers, and aerial bombardment—amounts to more than just a military offensive. He characterized the actions as an ongoing campaign of genocide, with Palestinians facing forced migration, starvation, and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The ambassador rebuked the international community, accusing it of failing to uphold its moral and legal obligations. “The massacre in Beit Lahia and Jabalia reflects the failure of the international community to respect its own legitimacy and decisions,” he stated. “Apartheid Israel continues with its genocidal crimes because the world remains complicit through inaction.”
Ambassador Almassri called for decisive measures, including an arms embargo on Israel and the imposition of effective sanctions. He urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to step in and halt the violence immediately. Dr. Almassri also demanded the provision of international protection for the Palestinian people and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where civilians are enduring life-threatening shortages of food, water, and medical supplies amid relentless bombardment.
As the violence escalates, the Palestinian death toll has risen dramatically. According to the latest reports, 42,697 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught, with 99,759 more injured. The overwhelming majority of the casualties are women and children, compounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Dr. Almassri condemned the international community’s reluctance to intervene as a “shame” and a betrayal of basic human values. “Failure to stop these massacres,” he said, “will be a lasting stain on the conscience of the world.”
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached critical levels. Thousands of families have been displaced, and entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. With hospitals overwhelmed and medical supplies running dangerously low, aid organizations have struggled to provide care for the injured and dying. Dr. Almassri’s plea for immediate humanitarian assistance reflects the urgency of the situation, as the people of Gaza face not only the threat of continued violence but also starvation and disease.
In addition to calling for international protection and aid, Dr. Almassri urged the UNSC to enforce a comprehensive ceasefire. He warned that without immediate action, more innocent lives will be lost, and the situation in Gaza will continue to deteriorate.
“The world cannot stand by and watch as more massacres are committed,” he declared. “The Palestinian people have suffered long enough.”
With the international community still divided over how to respond to the escalating crisis, the Ambassador’s call for action serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for intervention in one of the world’s longest-standing conflicts. Whether or not the UNSC will take the steps Dr. Almassri has called for remains uncertain, but the growing death toll and humanitarian disaster in Gaza make it clear that time is running out.
