The Nigerian Senate has officially voiced its concerns regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in the loss of lives in Palestine.
The Senate passed a resolution urging the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations to take immediate steps towards brokering a two-state solution between the warring parties as a means to resolve the protracted conflict and ensure a more stable and peaceful future for the people in the region.
The call for action comes after Senator Kawu Sumaila introduced a motion in the Senate, drawing attention to the United Nations’ 1948 proposal to partition Palestine into two separate states, one for the Jewish population and the other for the Arab community. Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central seconded this motion, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the ongoing conflict.
Titled “Urgent Need to Call for Ceasefire in the Ongoing Conflict between Israel and Hamas/Palestine”, the Senate’s decision underscores the importance of all relevant stakeholders working together to end the current crisis and prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
Following the Senate’s resolution, Senator Sumaila explained in a press briefing that the conflict is primarily land-oriented and should not be perceived as a religious war. He expressed concerns that if the situation is not adequately addressed, it could escalate into a more extensive global conflict.
“The Israel-Palestine conflict is a complex and long-standing issue that has persisted for over a century. It revolves around competing claims to the land of Israel and Palestine and has been marred by violence, displacement, and suffering on both sides,” he said.
The conflict, according to him, traces its origins back to the early 1900s when Jewish immigrants from Europe began to settle in Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. This influx of immigrants led to tensions with the Palestinian Arab population, who believed their land was being taken away.
As the conflict escalated, it resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who became refugees, with many still residing in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and neighbouring Arab countries.
Senator Sumaila cited figures from the United Nations lamenting the devastating impact of the current conflict, which began in October 2023. The statistics showed that Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 18 places of worship, including 11 mosques and 7 churches, along with 22,600 residential units. Additionally, 49 media offices, 70 industrial facilities, 20 ambulances, and 19 medical centres were damaged or destroyed. Tragically, the conflict led to over 8,000 deaths, with women, children, and journalists accounting for more than 62 percent of the fatalities. Furthermore, more than 15,273 people have been injured in the ongoing hostilities.
