**Title: Palestine Envoy Highlights Urgent Need for Medical Facilities in Gaza**
**New Delhi, India** – The Palestinian ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, has emphasized the critical medical needs in Gaza, particularly the urgent requirement for an artificial limb facility, during a press conference held in New Delhi. While India has finalized plans to construct a hospital in the West Bank, Shawesh underscored that Gaza is in dire need of support, particularly for the thousands of amputees who require artificial limbs.
Shawesh revealed that there are over 5,000 individuals in Gaza who have lost limbs and are desperately awaiting assistance. He expressed hope that India would extend its support to Gaza, stating, “I’m sure India will be with us in Gaza the day after the war.” This statement comes in the context of ongoing violence and humanitarian crises in the region.
The ambassador noted that the current situation in Gaza is exacerbated by the Israeli occupation, which has intensified since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. He reported that approximately 20,000 Palestinians require medical evacuation from Gaza, but Israeli authorities are permitting only small groups of 5 to 10 individuals to leave the area.
During the press conference, Shawesh reiterated Palestine’s support for India’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-2029 term. This endorsement follows a recent visit by Indian diplomat Sripriya Ranganathan to Ramallah, where she met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin.
The envoy also highlighted the ongoing violence in Gaza, noting that despite previous declarations for a ceasefire, hostilities have continued. He criticized Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for advocating “targeted assassinations” in Gaza, describing the situation as one where “95% of the people there have been displaced and are living in shelters and tents.”
Shawesh painted a grim picture of life in Gaza, recounting the destruction of his childhood home and the widespread devastation affecting the population. He described the humanitarian situation as catastrophic, with many residents lacking basic necessities and living in precarious conditions.
The backdrop to these developments includes ongoing military actions by Israeli forces in Gaza. Reports indicate that Israeli Defense Forces recently targeted a meeting of Hamas commanders in Gaza City, resulting in casualties among civilians. The Hamas-run civil defense agency reported that six individuals were killed and 14 others injured in the attack.
In light of the escalating violence, Justice S. Muralidhar, chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, has condemned the actions of Israeli forces as “unjustified and disproportionate.” He has raised concerns about the targeting of children, citing reports that indicate a significant number of Palestinian children have been killed in the conflict.
As the situation in Gaza remains critical, the Palestinian ambassador's call for international support, particularly from India, underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and medical facilities to address the growing crisis faced by the Palestinian population.