Ambassador Tamer Almassri
By George Swarei
Harare, Zimbabwe – The Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri, has issued a fervent plea to the conscience of the international community, urging swift and decisive action as Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza continues to devastate civilian lives. In a strongly worded statement, Ambassador Almassri denounced Israel’s recent airstrikes on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, which killed more than 29 Palestinians since dawn and trapped thousands under siege, while critical hospitals remain deprived of fuel and humanitarian aid.
Gaza lies in ruins
“The world cannot stand by as these atrocities unfold,” Ambassador Almassri stated, condemning Israel’s escalating genocidal war crimes. He implored the United Nations and international leaders to transcend statements of concern and take substantial, enforceable action to halt Israel’s occupation and aggression against the Palestinian people.
He further called upon the international community to demand that Israel comply with the recent UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, which sets a 12-month deadline for ending the occupation. The Palestinian government, he stressed, is resolute in its demand for comprehensive sanctions against Israel’s settler-colonial system, emphasizing the need to hold accountable any entity that promotes or engages in systematic violence and land annexation in Palestine.
The latest Palestinian death toll since October 2023 stands at a staggering 43,374, with over 10,000 still buried beneath the rubble and more than 102,261 suffering serious injuries. Women and children comprise the majority of victims, underscoring the catastrophic impact on Gaza’s most vulnerable populations.
Ambassador Almassri’s message to the global community is clear: without meaningful international action, Israel’s military occupation will continue to violate the human rights of Palestinians, resulting in further loss of innocent lives. He called on governments worldwide to uphold justice and human rights by taking a stand against Israel’s prolonged occupation, which he described as a “modern-day apartheid” that demands unequivocal condemnation and accountability.
