Nigeria in a statement noted that it is the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria has reacted to the latest hostility between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, calling for a de-escalation of the crisis.
The stance of the Nigerian Government was made known in a statement signed and made available by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf M. Tuggar.
The crisis began when the Palestinian militant group crossed over to Israel from Gaza and attacked citizens of the country with heavy rocket fire, killing over 100 people and taking dozens of Israelis as captive.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu following the attack, vowed to avenge what he described as a “black day” for Israel, saying the army will strike back at Hamas in Gaza with full force.
“The IDF (army) is about to use all its force to destroy Hamas’s capabilities,” Netanyahu said in a brief televised statement.
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After the statement by the Israeli Prime Minister, the country retaliated with airstrikes of its own, killing and injuring several Palestinians.
Speaking on the development, Nigeria expressed deep concern about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday.
It also called for immediate de-escalation and ceasefire between the two parties, noting that it is the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict.
The statement reads: “The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed, only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritize the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations.
“We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” the statement said
