Gaza War: ICRC Reiterates Calls for Civilian Protection

By: Michael Mike

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
Mirjana Spoljaric has called for the protection of civilians in Gaza and respect for the laws of war.

Spoljaric, who was in Gaza to advance efforts that alleviate the devastating humanitarian toll the ongoing conflict is taking on civilians, reiterated the importance of protecting civilians in Gaza and respect for the laws of war.

She also reiterated the ICRC’s call for the hostages to be immediately released.

According to a statement from ICRC, Spoljaric travel to the region is happening in several stages, with a visit to Israel expected over the coming weeks.

The statement issued before her visit read: “In Gaza, President Spoljaric will spend time with the ICRC team on the ground and visit the European Hospital, where ICRC medical teams have been conducting life-saving surgery alongside local healthcare workers.

“The ICRC has also been providing medical and other supplies to health care facilities as well as livelihood support to displaced people.

“The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has been providing ambulance and other core healthcare services in extremely dangerous circumstances in Gaza since the fighting escalated. Many humanitarian and health workers, including members of the PRCS, have been tragically killed in the conduct of their duties over the last weeks.”

Spoljaric was quoted in the statement to have said: “The level of human suffering is intolerable. It is unacceptable that civilians have no safe place to go in Gaza, and with a military siege in place there is also no adequate humanitarian response currently possible.

“The purpose of my visit is to advance efforts that alleviate the desperate humanitarian situation. I will convey my deep concern for the plight of civilians and underline the ICRC’s utmost commitment to doing everything we can to ease their suffering. We have urgently appealed for civilian life to be protected and respected on all sides, in line with international humanitarian law, and I reiterate that appeal today.

“An unimpeded and regular flow of aid must be allowed to enter Gaza. All those deprived of liberty must be treated humanely. The hostages must be released, and the ICRC must be allowed to safely visit them.

“The last week provided a small degree of humanitarian respite, a positive glimpse of humanity that raised hopes around the world that a path to reduced suffering could now be found. As a neutral actor, the ICRC stands ready to support further humanitarian agreements that reduce suffering and heartbreak.”

Gaza War: ICRC Reiterates Calls for Civilian Protection

Germany gives €81m grant to ECOWAS for electricity, others

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has received Germany support in the sum of €81 million grant to address vital areas of development in the subregion

This brings to €500 million, the total Germany’s support over a decade.

The President of ECOWAS, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray made the announcement on Sunday when he received the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz who is in Abuja on a two day visit to Nigeria.

Touray revealed that the grant will cover peace and security, social protection in the sub-region amongst other things.

The Commission’s President, said: “Recently, we concluded an agreement of €81 million that the government of Germany and the people of Germany has decided to grant ECOWAS to support in various areas.

“The grant will cover areas such as peaceful and inclusive society, climate and energy transition, sustainable and economic development, health, social protection and population. These are important sectors and we appreciate Germany for their support.”

He equally disclosed that ECOWAS and Germany have agreed to work closely to address the numerous challenges facing the sub-region.

Touray during a joint press briefing with the German counsellor, said: ” Your Excellency during our discussion, we talked about the challenges that this region is facing such as insecurity, and infrastructure deficit. We have agreed to continue working together. Our regions are closely linked. What happens in one area affects the other and then we appreciate what Germany is doing individually and through the European Union for supporting this region.

“We are appreciative of the partnership that the region continues to enjoy with Germany and the EU particularly in the area of peace and security, and strong governance.”

On his part, the German Chancellor stressed the need to support the subregion in developing its infrastructure and other institutions, noting that it was important to improve trade exchanges in the subregion.

He said: “These are structures that have to be set up in order to improve the exchange at the level of ECOWAS countries. Strengthen the economic, strengthen power of countries that are united in this organisation.”

He also listed health, peace and security amongst other areas of cooperation with ECOWAS.

The German Chancellor In the area of security, said his country is in support of ECOWAS stand on Republic of Niger.

He stressed that his country does not support the evil take over of government .

He said: “The situation of peace and security in the region is important. The times are turbulent and we have to make sure that in such times peace and security can be provided for and ECOWAS has played an important part in the recent past as far as that is concerned.

” So we particularly value the exchange with ECOWAS on this subject matter. It is about not accepting military coups demanding that a return to constitutional authority takes place and provide for peace and security in the region.

Germany gives €81m grant to ECOWAS for electricity, others

Israel would stop at nothing to exterminate Hamas- Israeli Ambassador

By: Michael Mike

Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Michael Freeman has said his country would stop at nothing to exterminate the Hamas group.

Freeman described as act of terrorism, the killings of about 1000 unsuspecting civilian Israeli citizens by Hamas group.

According to him, Israel would do what it ought to do to finally exterminate the Hamas group.

Freeman said, “So, Israel is going to react, we have declared war on Hamas.

“It is important to state at this point that this is not a war that is between Israel and Palestine, this is not about Israel and Palestine.

“This is about Israel and Hamas, this is about good and evil, this is about civilization and barbarism.

“Either you stand with people who are defending themselves or you stand with those who cut the heads of babies.

“That is what this is about, it is not about anything else.”

He assured of Israel’s plan to do everything within its ambit to avoid civilian casualties in the cause of the war against Hamas.

He mentioned that the Israeli move would not be about religion or Islam, Judaism or Christianity, but evil and good.

The ambassador further said that Israel does not desire war in any circumstances, but would remain committed to protecting its citizens in all possible ways.

“If Hamas will surrender this will be over tomorrow morning, if terrorism will be over that is not realistic.

“I am not asking the Palestinians anything, I am saying to the Palestinians I want a better day. I am saying this with focus on Hamas.

“I am focused on dealing with Hamas and I am focused on stopping it.,” the envoy added.

Earlier, the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdallah Shawesh, underscored the need for application of international laws to resolve the lingering crisis between Palestine and Israel.

Shaweh, who made the call while briefing journalists in Abuja in view of the ongoing war between the two countries urged the international community to stop treating Israel as a nation above the law.

In his response on the Palestinian government position about Hamas, the envoy said the group is not a terrorist organisation.

According to him, there should be fair treatment of all parties, saying the lives of all individuals mattered and thereby, condemned the incessant killings ongoing in both countries.

Shaweh said, “ The group is not a terrorist organisation, but it is fighting the course of the people, to liberate their land from Israeli occupation.

“The ceasefire agreement between the warring parties depends on Israel, which own a comprehensive military formation with support from allies like the United States.

“Many women and children were killed, medical doctors displaced and Ambulances destroyed in the renewed onslaught, the oldest churches in the world was destroyed by the Israeli forces.”

Israel would stop at nothing to exterminate Hamas- Israeli Ambassador